"We have already collected a lot of evidence and the attackers will certainly be brought to trial," Bhuiyan said brushing aside AL allegations that the probe into the incident is yet to be completed.

The main opposition party did not cooperate in the investigation, rather it tried to damage evidence in the grenade blasts and other bomb attacks, the BNP leader alleged at the rally held at Muktangan protesting the August 17 countrywide bomb attacks, organised by the city BNP.

Both local and foreign investigators probed the grenade attacks but the AL did not cooperate and also refused to allow investigators to examine party chief Sheikh Hasin's car, the minister mentioned.

On the hartal enforced by the AL and its allies on Saturday, Bhuiyan said the shutdown created scopes for perpetrators of the August 17 bomb blasts to hide. "The hartal was enforced to create anarchy and make political gains out of it."

The government has taken all steps to identify the bombers who wanted to prove the country has failed to run properly, and to tarnish its image. But they will never succeed, he told the rally chaired by city BNP chief Sadeque Hossain Khoka.

BNP will also hold protest rallies and other programmes across the country on August 28 in protest against the bomb blasts, Bhuiyan announced.

Law Minister and BNP central leader Moudud Ahmed said the August 17 incident reflected a conspiracy against the country that began just after the national polls in 2001. Those who blasted the bombs are enemies of the country, its sovereignty and democratic order, and they must not be spared.

Pointing a finger at the AL, BNP leader and Health Minister Khandker Mosharraf Hossain said it made every effort to project the country abroad as one full of communal elements like Talibans. "We must be prepared to combat the forces that fix a date to overthrow an elected government," he said.

BNP Senior Joint Secretary General Tarique Rahman was also present at the rally but did not speak on health grounds.

Other speakers at the rally included Housing and Public Works Minister Mirza Abbas, State Minister for Cultural Affairs Begum Selima Rahman, BNP Joint Secretary General Gayeshwar Chandra Roy, State Minister for Labour and Employment Amanullah Aman, State Minister for Land Ruhul Kuddus Talukder Dulu, Commerce Ministry Advisor Barkatullah Bulu , Lawmaker Salauddin Ahmed and Khandker Mahbubuddin Ahmed.

JAMAAT RALLY

Ameer of Jamaat-e-Islami and Industries Minister Motiur Rahman Nizami yesterday alleged that the series bomb blasts across the country was intended to prove Bangladesh as a failed state.

"Through this incident, a vested quarter wanted to establish that Islam stood for terrorism and extremism," he alleged at a rally in the city protesting the countrywide bomb blasts, organised by city Jamaat.

All the Islamic parties in the country believe in democracy and want to establish Islamic laws through elections and not through any militant movement.

Secretary general of the party and Social Welfare Minister Ali Ahsan Mohammad Mujaheed alleged those who always speak against this government with the help of a neighbouring country might be behind the bomb attacks.

Other speakers included Jasim Uddin Sarkar, Mujibur Rahman, Rafiqul Islam Khan, Jasim Uddin Sarkar and ATM Azharul Islam. City Jamaat chief Mominul Islam Patwary chaired the rally.