The mainstream opposition parties yesterday announced a series of identical agitation programmes, including a dawn-to-dusk hartal on March 27, demanding resignation of the government and tackling the extremist groups.

The Awami League (AL), left 11-party alliance and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Inu) yesterday announced the next course of their anti- government agitation from separate rallies in the capital. The agitation programmes will start on March 13 and continue up to April 6 also to press home various other demands.

Urging people to join the oust-government movement, the opposition leaders said they will enforce tougher programmes after the public examinations end next month.

"We did not declare tougher programmes now due to the ensuing SSC examinations. But we will go for such programmes after the examinations," Leader of the Opposition and AL President Sheikh Hasina said at the party's grand rally yesterday.

Other programmes announced yesterday include forming human walls in cities and district towns on March 13 and in all upazilas, demanding trial of all the killings in bomb attacks and arrest of criminals involved in the biggest ever arms smuggling.

Besides, "hunger processions" will be organised countrywide on March 23 and country- wide demonstration against rise of extremist groups on March 20.

The opposition parties also expressed solidarity with the programmes of Sramik Karmachari Oikya Parishad on April 1 and rallies and processions from April 2 to 4 in support of the demands of workers. The parties will extend support to the workers' strike on April 5-6.