Vow to resist Islamist militants at any cost

The forces, namely Razakar, Al-Badr and Al-Shams, who massacred the frontline Banglee intellectuals and professionals at the fag end of the liberation war in 1971, are the masterminds behind the bomb terrorism, they said at a rally marking the Martyred Intellectuals' Day.

Carrying national flags and banners, wearing black badges and singing national anthem, members of civil society and human rights activists converged on the Central Shaheed Minar in the city under the banner of Bikkhubdha Nagarik Samaj and vowed to resist the fanatic forces and Islamist militants at any cost.

Representatives of Ain o Salish Kendra, Step Towards Development, Nijera Kari, Karmojibi Nari, Law Review, Bandhu Sabha of the Prothom Alo, Udichi, Baushi, Nagarik Uddyog, Jubo Nagarik Adhikar Jote, Tarun Nagarik Uddyog and Joydhwani took part in the rally.

Alleging that Jamaat-e-Islami, a partner of the ruling alliance, has been patronising the Islamist outfits, the speakers said it has a direct link with the Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) and its leaders are giving support to the Islamist militants with a view to establishing Talebani rule in the name of Islam.

Renowned human rights activist Hameeda Hossain said the national security is now at stake, but the government is not paying any heed.

The indifferent attitude of the government has encouraged the repeated bomb blasts, she added.

To safeguard independence and the nation, all pro-liberation forces should be united again like in 1971 against the defeated forces who are now in power, said Khushi Kabir, co-ordinator of Nijera Kari.

The activists declared a three-month protest programme beginning on December 23.

Later, they marched in a procession, which paraded through different streets and ended at Muktangon.