Different political parties and student organisations yesterday marked the Shaheed Noor Hossain Day with a vow to resist any move to destroy the hard-earned democracy.

Noor Hossain, a Jubo League leader and a pro-democracy activist, was killed in police firing during a demonstration against the then autocratic ruler HM Ershad at Zero Point on the day in 1987. With slogans -- 'Let democracy be freed' and 'Down with autocracy' -- painted in his chest and back, he took part in the demonstration.

Seminar, discussion and brief rallies were held in the city yesterday to pay homage to him.

Speakers at a seminar said the democracy is now under threat under the BNP-Jamaat coalition government.

The government has been designing various plots to ensure its victory in the next general election, said Awami League presidium member Abdur Razzak.

"People in northern districts are starving due to Monga while the government is busy arranging expensive Saarc summit ignoring the plight of the poor people," he added.

The Al leader called on the countrymen to be united to oust this 'evil' government through a mass upsurge.

AL leader Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin and Sirajuddin Ahmed also spoke.

The South Bangla Youth Welfare Association organised the seminar at the auditorium of Dhaka Reporters' Unity (DRU).

Dhaka City Awami League, Workers Party of Bangladesh, Communist Party of Bangladesh, 11-Party, Gano Forum, Bangladesh Samajtantrik Dal, Left Democratic Front, Awami Sheschasebak League, Jubo Gano Forum, Jatiyatabadi Chhatra Dal, seven opposition-backed student organisations led by Bangladesh Chhatra League, Bangladesh Chhatra Union, Samajtantrik Chhatra Front, Progotishil Chhatra Jote and Shaheed Noor Hossain Sangsad placed wreaths at the Noor Hossain Square in the morning.

At a rally, CPB leaders urged the countrymen to step up the movement against the misrule of the coalition government.