The AL lawmakers demanded a discussion in the House or at least a statement from the state minister for home about the 'crossfire' deaths but the minister Lutfozzaman Babar, who was present in the House, did not respond.

Raising the issue on a point of order, AL lawmaker Suranjit Sengupta said if such killings continue to take place, the government would be held responsible and murder cases would be filed against the prime minister and the state minister for home.

When Babar attempted to take floor to say something in reply to Suranjit's threat, some cabinet ministers including LGRD and Co-operatives Minister Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan signalled to him to let the opposition lawmaker speak.

But later, amidst thumping of desk from the treasury bench, Speaker Jamiruddin Sircar told the opposition members that people would decide through the next election who were responsible for the deaths in crossfire.

The senior AL lawmaker said, "I want to know who are the mastermind of such killings, is it the Prime Minister's Office, Hawa Bhaban or the home ministry that issued the order to kill people in the name of crossfire?"

"Who are responsible for killing about 100 people so far?" Suranjit asked.

The opposition deputy blamed the government for the downslide in law and order saying that in any civilised society the state is the protector of people's life and property, but here in Bangladesh the government itself is killing people.

"We also want punishment of the criminals, but only after trial in the court of law. Such killings without trial cannot be acceptable in a democratic and civilised country."

Referring to the killing of Mohim, a central leader of Bangladesh Chhatra League, in a 'crossfire' involving Rab in Chittagong on Monday, Suranjit said such killings have tarnished the country's image abroad.

Former home minister Mohammad Nasim on another point of order criticised the government for the deaths in Rab custody and said there is no law in any civilised country that endorses killing of people without judicial proceedings.

"Nobody has the right to take such decision unilaterally and kill people," the AL lawmaker added, citing the killing of Sumon, a witness in the Ahsanullah Master MP murder case in Gazipur, and Chhatra League leader Mohim in Chittagong.

He demanded discussion in parliament on the issue to let the people know about the Rab activities.

The speaker, however, rejected both the points of order raised by Suranjit and Nasim.