They also called for allocating funds in the upcoming budget to ensure gas supply and introduce T&T mobile phone in the city including three trains on Rajshahi-Dhaka direct route.

The demands were made at a rally organised by Rajshahi Rakkha Sangram Parishad (RRSP) at Shaheb Bazar.

Chaired by RRSP Convenor Zamat Khan, the rally was also addressed by Bangladesh Bar Council Member Md Yahia, engineer Tajul Islam, Rajshahi Bar General Secretary Hamidul Haque, journalist Liaqat Ali, Dr Abdul Mannan, Advocate Ferdaous Zamil and Debashish Pramanik.

Speakers at the rally said they are demanding the removal of Minister Aminul Haque in view of the prime minister's recent remarks that action would be taken against the lawmakers who will fail to develop their areas.

They expressed concern over the supply of gas to a district town neglecting the divisional city, and said the ruling party leaders pledged for supplying gas to Rajshahi before the elections.

The speakers said no mentionable development took place in the city since the alliance government came to power, rather many important offices were shifted from here to Bogra.

They also demanded re-opening of the silk factory, maintaining of law and order and steps to check desertification in the region.

A procession was also brought that paraded different city roads.