The central leaders of the Awami League (AL) yesterday, denouncing the police excesses against AL activists and leaders, said such activities only proved that the BNP government was more autocratic than the Ershad regime.

Acting president of the AL Abdul Mannan, at a rally held In front oi the centred office of the party on Bahgabandhu Avenue yesterday afternoon, announced a half-day hartal in the city Saturday protesting the attack.

He also announced countrywide protests and demonstra tions today and demonstratlous and processions in the city tomorrow

Presided over by Mannan, the rally was also addressed, among others, by AL central leader Zlllur Rahman. Tofael Ahmed MP. Mohammad Nasim MP. Abdur Razzak MP. Begum Malla Chowdhury MP. Begum Sajeda Chowdhury MP, Rahman All MP, ivy Rahman. Obaidul Kader and others.

They urged the people to intensify agitations to oust the government and said. Election under this government are not acceptable to us. We have seen the BNP had resorted to unfair means in the previous polls '

Abdul Mannan said. Peaceful hartals and demonstrations are our fundamental right*. Inspite of the police at tack the AL demonstrators remained non-violent.

We have reports that some people have damaged a few cars." he said and added, we believe it was done by government agents to brand us as a violent force."

Mannan said. The police had launched the attack on us without any provocation We were going to the Noor Hossain Square only to pay our' homage.

Justifying the hartal call, the acting AL president said." we have called the hartal because the government would not listen to any other language of protest."

"Democracy and black laws cannot go together." Mannan said. And democracy and fun damentalism cannot go together either. So. let us unseat this government.”

"The Prime Minister says, she wants to'solve all problems In Parliament." Tofael said. "But she does not attend Parliament herself."

Abdur Razzak said: Khaleda recently said the we only speak Ilea in Parliament, which means she undermines the Sangsad. and has no respect for democracy."

Mohammad Nasim said: "Ershad's Home Minister Dr Matin killed Noor Hossain in 1987 during an agitation on this day; now Khaleda’s Matin has unleashed his brute force to bring us down."

The AL leaders said at least 40 of their leaders were beaten up by police and 100 others had been given flrst-aid

The rally, helrfat 12:25 pm. was orgartjsed on a make-shift dais because earlier the police broke down the stage the AL had set up on the avenue. Sounds of cocktail blasts were heard around the area'during the ralfy.