The killers of Kibria have been trying to divide the society and cripple the political system to destroy the country, they said in a joint statement on Tuesday.

"We are shocked and speechless at the planned killing of Shah AMS Kibria," they said.

The retired officials expressed grave concern over various types of violent incidents, including the killing of Kibria, and said people are losing faith in law and justice.

It is the government's responsibility to check a continued slide in law and order but it has failed to do so, the statement said.

They expressed concern about the country's future if the government fails to reign in fundamentalists.

They urged the government to ensure exemplary punishment of people involved in violation of human rights.

Referring to smuggling of firearms, bomb blasts and grenade attacks even at shrines, the statement said perpetrators of these crimes are hitting the root of the country's liberal social and political system.

They called upon government officials and law enforcing agency personnel to discharge their duties properly to uphold the constitution.

Signatories to the statement include former cabinet secretary Hossain Tawfique and secretary M Mokammel Huq, former central bank governor Dr Mohammad Farashuddin, former principal secretary Abdus Samad and secretary AKM Moshiur Rahman, and many other former secretaries, acting secretaries, additional secretaries and joint secretaries.

Some 14 retired foreign secretary including former foreign secretary Faruque Chowdhury and Shafi Sami, former high commissioner A. H. Mahmood Ali, and Mostofa Faruk Mohammad and some 36 retired police officers including former inspector general of police (IGP) Abdur Rakib Khandokar, Ismail Hossain and Nurul Huda.