The central leaders of the alliance at the rally preceding a foot march demanded immediate arrest and punishment of the criminals responsible for the carnage. They threatened tougher programmes if the demand was not met.

They also demanded ban on communal politics including those of the Jamaat-e-Islami and its student wing Islami Chhatra Shibir and ouster of Jamaat leaders from the cabinet.

Presided over by Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) Chittagong unit's President Mrinal Chowdhury, the rally was attended by, among others, President Monjurul Ahsan Khan, BSD convenor comrade Khalequzzaman Bhuiyan, Workers Party leader Bimal Biswas and President of Chhatra Union Luna Noor.

The speakers said the country is now in the grip of politics of killing and occupation. The government completely failed to curb crimes, they alleged.