The Gaibandha District Workers and Employees Federation and the Rangpur Sugar Mills Workers Union at a joint rally at the Shaheed Miner in the town yesterday announced a fresh agitation programme for withdrawal of the mill's lay-off.

The programme includes contact with political parties from April 5 to 12, day-long 'mass hunger strike' at the Shaheed Minar on April 13 and dawn to dusk hartal in the district on April 20.

The rally also called upon the people to observe a half-day hartal in the district own tomorrow, announced earlier.

Presided over by Rabiul Hossain, president of the federation, the rally was addressed by, among others, Gaibandha Awami League President Mohammed Khaled, Jatiya Party President Abdur Rashid Sarker, Workers Party Secretary Aminul Islam Golap, Gano Forum President Moinul Islam Raja, NAP President Lutfar Rahman Ranju, CPB Presidium Member Shahidullah, Gaibandha University College Student Union Vice-president Khademul Islam Khidi, its secretary Kamruzzaman Annu, Gaibandha Restaurant and Hotel Workers Union President Anowarul Islam and Rangpur Sugar Mills Workers Union PresidentAbdul Matin.

The speakers expressed solidar-

ity with the agitating unemployed workers and employees of the sugar mill, the only heavy industry in the district.

They said the BNP-Jamaat alliance government is closing down mills one after another. It close down the Adamjee Jute Mills without creating jobs for the workers, they said.

The speakers said a tougher programme will be announced unless the government withdraws the lay-off.

After the rally, a human chain along the DB Road at the rail crossing was formed, which was participated by all sections of people.