'Oust this failed govt'

The rally was held at the Shaheed Miner in the town to protest the grenade attack on the August 21 Awami League public meeting in Dhaka.

They said pro-liberation forces are being attacked in different areas of the country now as the "forces defeated in the Liberation War" has raised their head again under the protection of BNP.

Tap here to add The Daily Star as a trusted source

"We can not expect proper investigation into the (August 21) incident under this government", AL central leader Fazley Radbi told the rally.

"What they are doing is simply an eye-wash to protect the attackers", he said.

This government can not ensure law and order because the ruling parties are sheltering terrorists and criminals and patronising corruption, Rabbi alleged.

Several pro-liberation political leaders and journalists were killed in the last three years but the government could not unearth any of the incidents, other speakers said. Fundamentalist and communal forces have become active again. This has also tarnished the country's image abroad, they said.

They called for unity of pro-liberation and progressive forces to oust the government through a mass movement.

Presided over by Gaibandha Sadar upazila Awami League President Ranajt Boxhi Surja, the meeting was addressed by, among others, district AL president Mohammed Khaled, its secretary Sayed Shamsul Alam Hiru, Sadrul Kabir, Sultan Ali Mandol, Shah Masud Jahangir and Kabir Milon.

Earlier on the day, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) held a separate protest rally in the town.