Briefing newsmen at his Sangsad Bhaban office last night, Deputy Leader of the Opposition Abdul Hamid said the premier at a city rally earlier this month threatened to confine opposition activists to their houses and Altaf Hossain Chowdhury echoed the same voice at a Patuakhali rally on Wednesday.

"I must say today's attack was carried out at the directives of the prime minister. The hoodlums (of the ruling BNP) in league with the police are unleashing attacks on the opposition."

Protesting the attack that left several AL activists injured, Hamid warned the government of dire consequences for which 'Khaleda Zia will be held responsible'.

"By attacking the opposition, they're (ruling coalition leaders) riding for a fall. Now people of the country would get more actively involved with our anti-government movement," he said.

Hamid also came down heavily on the government for using law enforcers to block opposition processions or agitation.

"This goes totally against our fundamental democratic and constitutional rights. A government cannot quash people's rights to assembly and hold peaceful programmes."

AL lawmaker for Khulna Panchanan Biswas was also present.