The leaders and activists were marching towards the Prime Minister's Office to lay a siege in protest at a move to export gas, but police put up barricades near the Shishu Park and beat the demonstrators.

Manjurul Ahsan Khan, president of Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), who took part in the procession, condemned the attack as a denial of the right to peaceful demonstration.

Committee convenor engineer Shahidullah, politician Nirmal Sen, economist Anu Muhammad and Professor Serajul Islam Chowdhury also joined the procession.

Earlier at a protest rally at Muktangan, the leaders called on the government to announce that it would not export gas on any pretext.

Committee Secretary Rustam Ali Khokon demanded the prime minister promise the nation that the government will not export gas, as it is a limited national wealth.

Terming the production sharing contract (PSC) with the multinational companies anti-people, the leaders said people still do not know about the contents of the PSC.

After the police attack, the protesters again gathered at the Shahbagh intersection and held a rally.

The speakers at the rally said the government will be responsible for any consequences if it goes for gas export.

They also vowed to launch a movement to topple the government if it takes any decision to export gas.