Some organisations were also critical of few newspapers for carrying out 'indecent' photos of the tormented women saying that the photos have undermined the women before the society.

President of Bangladesh Mahila Parishad (BMP) Hena Das and General Secretary Ayesha Khanom, in a joint statement, strongly protested the police attack on women demonstrators and demanded exemplary punishment to those responsible for it.

They said irrespective of gender identity every person has the right to take part in political programmes in a democratic society.

The incident has tarnished the image of the country, they added.

Dr Hamida Hossain, executive director of Ain-o-Salish Kendra and Khushi Kabir, executive director of Nijera Kori, also condemned the incident.

They said taking part in processions and rallies is constitutional rights of every citizen.

A government elected through democratic way can never ignore such a crime by its law enforcers, they added.

They demanded inquiry into the incident and punishment to the persons responsible for the attack.

They also criticised some newspapers which carried out photos of the tormented women without hiding their identity.

In another statement, Leaders of Sammilito Nari Samaj, an organisation for the women, also rebuked the government for the incident and demanded punishment of the police involved in it.

Laila Khan, Hazera Sultana and Khaleda Khanom signed the statement.

Women Affairs Secretary of the Awami League Ivy Rahman also censured the government for torturing the women during the hartal.

In a statement, she said the attack has unmasked the government's autocratic character.

Socialist Women Forum leaders Rawshon Ara Rusho and Shamsunnahar Jyosna also demanded punishment to police personnel involved in the attack.

Executive Director of Bangladesh National Women Lawyers Association Salma Ali said publishing photos of the tortured women and their identity is a direct violation of the existing laws on women and children.

Manjurul Ahsan Khan and Mujahidul Islam Selim, president and general secretary of the Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB), demanded trial of the law enforcers who assaulted the women demonstrators of the opposition during the hartal.

Convenor of the Socialist Party of Bangladesh Khalequzzaman also came up heavily on the government for resorting baton charges on women demonstrators and demanded punishment of the police officials on duty.

Leaders of Bangladesh Jatiya Sramik Jote also protested the police attack.