The demonstrators, grouped in the Six-point Demand Implementation Committee, also called for independence of the judiciary, rescinding of the rule on compulsory filing of income tax returns and trade licences, transparency in appointment of judges and recruitment of efficient judges.

Yesterday's boycott was the second since August 6, the day that saw a countrywide court boycott by the same lawyers on the same demands.

Earlier, the anti-boycott front under the banner of Ainjibi Oikya Parishad and spearheaded by Communications Minister Barrister Nazmul Huda urged all lawyers not to put their weight behind the demonstration and tagged the boycotting lawyers as aligned with the main opposition Awami League.

Both groups called upon the lawyers to attend separate grand rallies, slated for October 24.

The boycotting lawyers led by Advocate Abdul Baset Mujumdar organised a rally in the south hall of the Supreme Court Bar Association.

Vice-chairman of Bangladesh Bar Council and convenor of the demand implementation committee Barrister Amir-Ul Islam said in a statement, "We have information from all Bar associations that the boycott was a success."

He urged the lawyers to join a human chain on October 8, stage a token hunger strike on October 15 and make the October 24 rally a success.

The Supreme Court vacation benches passed the day virtually without work because of the absence of pro-boycott lawyers.

The Supreme Court Bar Association held an emergency general meeting, chaired by its President Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, on the same issues.

He accused more than two judges, appointed by the four-party coalition government, of running law chambers and preparing drafts of cases in breach of rules.

Barrister Rokan demanded direct election to the Bar council chairmanship -- the post now held by the government-appointed attorney-general ex officio, arguing that the Bar council is an autonomous body.

No work took place in district and sessions, metropolitan sessions, Dhaka district and chief metropolitan magistrate's courts because of lawyers' absence.

Lawyers brought out a procession in support of the boycott on the court premises, while their opponents took out an anti-boycott procession.

The boycott in Chittagong was peaceful and no untoward incidents were reported in 49 courts.

The Chittagong District Bar Association held a rally at the court building, demanding implementation of their demand.

District Bar Association President Advocate Ferdous Ahmed, elected on the pro-government slate, urged the government to accept the demand for the greater interest of the country.