Leaders of the association at a rally at Central Shaheed Minar said they would observe a one-minute silence in every church across the country to protest the killings of two Christians.

Tapan Kumar Roy, 30, of Fakirpara village in Nababganj upazila, and Liplal Marandi, 35, of Mahalpur village in Birganj upazila, Dinajpur, were Christian preachers. They used to work for an international NGO, Christian Life Bangladesh, as field workers in Dhupapara village in Boalmari.

Christian leaders also demanded immediate punishment of the criminals, who attacked a Christian village in Barisal on July 23.

The general secretary of the main opposition Awami League, Abdul Jalil, expressed solidarity with the Christian association.

He demanded punishment of the killers, saying the double murder has proved again the law and order downslide in the country.

Addressing the rally, Christian Association President Pramod Mankin, MP said NGOs are working for betterment of the people in Bangladesh regardless of religion, caste and creed.

The Christians have been living in the country peacefully and taking part in development activities, he said.

"The constitution of Bangladesh has guaranteed freedom of practising and preaching any religion in a peaceful manner," Mankin said.

Christian Association General Secretary Nirmal Rozario said it is the government's responsibility to ensure safety of the people.

Hindu Buddhist Christian Association President Nim Chandra Bhowmik said religious minorities in the country are passing their days in a sense of insecurity as attacks on them are increasing day by day.

"The attackers on religious minorities are seldom punished, which is contributing to the growing religious intolerance," he added.

Bishop Nirmal Linus Gomes said Bangladesh will not move forward if religious harmony is not maintained properly.