He was scheduled to open a newly constructed building of Brishalikha Primary School there at noon.

In the morning, several thousand people including family members of martyred freedom fighters from Brishalikha village and adjoining areas brought out a procession protesting his arrival and dismantled the plaque erected for the inauguration.

The demonstrators carried black flags and chanted slogans against Jamaat, calling it collaborators of Pakistani occupation army and killers of many people in the area. Sources in the area said many people were killed by the occupation forces and their collaborators during the Liberation War.

Police were deployed in the area for the minister's programme but they did not take any action on the demonstrators. Jamaat leaders and workers who had gathered in the area in the morning also left seeing the demonstration, locals said. Demonstrations were also held Friday evening as news of Nizami's arrival spread in the area.

Brishalikha village and nearby areas are strongholds of Awami League. Awami League central leader Abu Sayeed hails from adjoining Shankipara village, sources said.

Nizami came to the area on a two-day visit. On Friday, he attended some other programmes in Santhia upazila.

When contacted Bera Upazilla Nirbahi Officer Md Aminul Islam said the inauguration ceremony was postponed and it will be held later.

He said the minister's programme was not officially scheduled earlier. It was planned on Friday when the minister came on a two-day visit to the area, he said.

Local Jamaat leaders blamed Awami League for the demonstrations. "AL activists dismantled the plaque and instigated the demonstrators", Bera upazilla Jamaat Ameer Abu Daud alleged while talking to The Daily Star.

Awami League refuted the allegation. "Local people organised the protest as the killings during the liberation war are still fresh in their minds", Bera upazilla Awami League leader and Bera Pourasava Chairman Abdul Batin said.