Leaders of different political parties and cross-sections of people spontaneously joined the 'mass hunger strike', held at the Shaheed Miner.

The token programme lasted for about five hours. It was marked with a rally, where speakers demanded a judicial probe into the alleged 'murder' in custody and arrest of persons responsible.

The speakers included Nagorik Committee Convener Aminul Islam Golap, Gaibandha Awami League President Mohammed Khaled, its secretary Abu Bakker Siddique, Gaibandha Pourasha Chairman Anwarul Hasan Sabur, CPB (Communist Party of Bangladesh) leader Mihir Ghosh, JSD President Shah Shariful Islam Bablu, BSD Convener Ahsanul Habib Sayeed and Sirajul Islam Babu.

They said withdrawal and transfer of accused persons are only eyewash. They demanded exemplary punishment to all the accused.

They also criticised local BNP leaders who "intentionally supported the cops to cover up murder". People of Gaibandha will throw them into the dustbin, they said, vowing to continue protests till the "killers" are punished.

On Friday, the Nagorik Committee laid a siege to the office of the Police Superintendent and formed a human chain in the town to press its demand. The committee has been staging protests since the incident.

Sajedur Rahman Sajid, 26, a medical representative of a pharmaceutical company, was arrested on May 18 from Katpatti area in the town. He died in custody on May 21 while on remand.

Police earlier termed the incident suicide, but the autopsy report said the victim was strangled.

A case was filed against the Investigation Officer (IO) of Sajid arrest case, Abu Yousuf, and three other cops including duty officer Fahmida Khatun, SI Dulal Chandra Sarker and Constable Mizanur Rahman, all under suspension now.

OC Noor Alam and constables Masud Rana, Sajjad Hossain and Farhad Hossain were withdrawn and transferred.

Sources said a procedure has already started to transfer the case to Criminal Investigation Department (CID). Papers are expected to reach the Sadar thana today, they said.