'Govt forces AL to boycott CPA confce'

They said the AL was eager to join the conference and play a significant role as country's main opposition, but the government totally ignored the party from its preparatory stage.

The AL leaders were addressing a rally in front of the party central office at Bangabandhu Avenue.

Dhaka city unit of the party organised the rally to protest recent police atrocities on lawyers, teachers and women.

The AL leaders criticised the government for deteriorating law and order in the country.

"After failing to run the country properly, the government took the hard line to eliminate the opposition," they said.

The AL leaders said the day is not far when this repressive and corrupt regime will be compelled to step down following a mass upsurge.

Abdur Razzak MP, Tofael Ahmed, Motia Chowdhury, Obaidul Kader, Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya, Abdul Mannan, Fazlur Rahman and Mirza Azam MP addressed the rally presided over by Omar Ali.

After the rally, the AL leaders and activists brought out a procession which was intercepted by the police at Noor Hossain Square.