Jurist Dr Kamal Hossain yesterday called for the unity of the people to bring back normalcy in the country which has been witnessing widespread arson attacks and vandalism amid the BNP-led 20-party alliance's blockade since January 6.

“What is happening now in the name of movement is terrorism and violence. The government is bound to contain it,” he told a discussion at Jatiya Press Club.

However, the government efforts to check violence do not seem sincere, he said. "Extrajudicial killings cannot be a step to

build unity."

The discussion was organised by Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD-Rab) to mark the first hoisting of the country's national flag on March 2,1971. On that day, JSD leader ASM Abdur Rab hoisted Bangladesh's flag at Dhaka University as a student leader.

"We are talking of people's unity...but the government's attitude towards us seems to mean that we are nobody in this country," said Dr Kamal, chief ofGonoforum.

He said bad politics had created partisanship in a section of the law enforcers.

"The most dangerous thing is arrests in

exchange for bribes," said Dr Kamal, one of the authors of Bangladesh’s constitution. "We need to wage movement so police are not used to serve any partisan interests."

The law cannot take its own course today, he said, adding that instability and uncertainty was created when laws became parts of the political game, and this was the biggest hurdle to restore normalcy. He called upon all, especially the youth, to build national unity against violence and fascism.

Expressing concern over the arrest of Nagorik Oikya Convener Mahmudur Rahman Manna, JSD President ASM Abdur Rab asked," Is it thuggery?"

"I don't know why Manna was taken on a 10-day remand. He confessed to his telephonic conversation. So why should he be arrested? Will one be charged with sedition just for talking against the government?” he said. He demanded an immediate dialogue to end the political turmoil.

Rab also suggested forming a commission led by Dr Kamal to make necessary reforms to the constitution to create a balance of power and better governance systems.

Dr Zafarullah Chowdhury of Gonoshasthaya Kendra, Hossain Mohammad Mansur, ex-vice president of Dhaka University Central Student Union (Ducsu), Nagorik Oikya Adviser SM Akram, and JSD (Rab) General Secretary Abdul Malek Ratan also spoke.