Opposition leader Sheikh Hasina yesterday urged the people irrespective of caste and creed to guard against any evil design to disrupt communal harmony.

"Communal peace and harmony must be maintained at any cost," she said in a statement following the outbreak of communal violence in India's western state of Gujrat.

Hasina said her party has always been against extremism in politics and will remain steadfast against it. The communal violence triggered by the torching of a passenger train in Gujrat and subsequent incidents cannot be supported.

"We strongly condemn this orgy of violence and killings," the Awami League president said, adding, "religious-minded people of our country can never be influenced by extreme communal sentiment."

Appreciating the role of non-communal and democratic political parties and individuals for their stand against violence, Hasina said "politics of violence and vengeance can not bring good to a nation."

The opposition leader urged the government, law enforcers and conscious citizens to remain alert against any evil machination. Awami League, she said, will stand by the people as in the past.

Hasina said Awami League leaders and workers are pledgebound for peaceful coexistence and maintain communal harmony of all faiths and groups and ensure the spirit of the great Liberation War of 1971.