Expressing grave concern over Tuesday's bomb blasts in Chittagong and Gazipur, which killed nine and wounded 78, they demanded a national dialogue to take up a united national action plan to protect and uphold constitutional rule in the country and to ensure national security.

Oikya Manchs President Dr Kamal Hossain and BDB President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury made the demands in a joint statement at a press conference at the Jatiya Press Club.

Holding the next general elections and the exercise of democratic rights will be difficult if the people are to remain in a state of insecurity due to bomb attacks and threats, they said.

Dr Kamal blamed the government for its 'negligence and failure' to ensure the security of the people.

"Inaction of the government and lack of political will to bring the culprits to book have encouraged the militants to attempt to destroy the judiciary, parliament, constitution and national security," he said Depicting a gloomy picture of law and order in the country, the eminent jurist said it is high time the people should unite to eliminate the evil forces.

The bomb blasts at the courts are not isolated incidents but part of an unending series of planned and organised attacks on the present government, said Dr Kamal, also President of Gono Forum.

On the expulsion of BNP leader Abu Hena, MP, for speaking about the militants' links to a quarter in the government, he regretted that the allegation was not investigated, and that, rather, the lawmaker was punished.

No discussion on the masterminds behind the bomb attacks was held in parliament and effective steps were not taken as yet to track them down, he said. The people want to see the government accountable to them.

Terming the law and order situation a 'national catastrophe', Badruddoza alleged the government has not done its best to combat militant activities in the country.

Referring to Jamaat-e-Islami Ameer Motiur Rahman Nizami's blaming the Opposition for the bomb attacks, he said it is part of a conspiracy.

"It is a joke with the nation," he said, referring to the assurance of Abdul Mannan Bhuiyan, now holding charge of the home ministry, that everything will be okay in the next two months.

Alleging government inaction against the lawmakers and ministers linked to militancy, Badruddoza said this is just playing with fire. The administration will fall if killings by militants go on, he added.

"Please take action against the militants, track down the masterminds, unearth the sources of bombs, and punish the culprits immediately," he urged the government.

The BDB chief thanked the media for exposing operations of the banned Jama'atul Mujahideen Bangladesh (JMB) but regretted that the government had not taken stern action against them in time.

Gono Forum leaders Saifuddin Ahmed Manik, Abdur Rouf, BDB leaders Major ( Rtd) Halim and Firoz M Hasan were also present at the press conference.