The procession that followed a protest rally at the Central Shaheed Minar, marched to the scene of the grenade attacks on Bangabandhu Avenue and set the candles on the ground there.

Leaders from different political parties and socio-cultural organisations took part in the protest rally. They urged all to unite against the religious radicals, who, they said, are responsible for the August 21 blasts that killed 19 people and injured more than 200.

The speakers observed all the attacks so far were aimed solely at the progressive forces of the country. Not a single leader or worker from the ruling BNP or Jamaat had died in those bomb or grenade attacks.

Abdul Jalil, the general secretary of AL, said people of the country have risen up against the current four-party alliance government.

If any party or individual betrays the popular uprising, the people would not forgive them, Jalil warned.

He said though all the parties would fight from their own positions, the demand for ouster of the government remains the same.

Monjurul Ahsan Khan, president of the Communist Party of Bangladesh, said some newspapers were trying to mislead the people about the unity of the progressive and secular forces. He refuted the suggestion that there exists rift within the parties over the issue of anti-government campaign.

Rashed Khan Menon, president of the Workers Party of Bangladesh, said people, who died in the deadly grenade attacks, have virtually united the progressive forces against the religious fanatics.