Security was tightened in court areas. Visitors were allowed to enter the compounds only after checking by metal detectors.

Our Rangpur Correspondent reports: The 14- party alliance led by Awami League brought out a procession and held a rally at Rangpur town yesterday morning in protest against the killings in Jhalokathi.

The procession was brought out from Rangpur Public

Library campus. The processionists paraded the main roads in the town.

At the rally held at the court square with Gonotantri Party Presidium

member Mohammed Afzal in the cahair, speakers bitterly criticised the government for its failure to ensure security of life to judges. The BNP-Jamaat government have no right to cling to power as it failed to protect life of citizens, they said.

The speakers included Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) leader Dr. Ekramul Hoque Swapan, Rangpur AL president Abdur Razzak and Gono Forum leader Anwar Hossain.

They said fundamentalist forces under the protection of the government are killings innocent citizens in the name of Islam. They are tarnishing the image of the country and defaming the greatest religion which never supports violence in any form, they said.

They urged the government to step down or to face tougher agitation.

Meanwhile, judges in Rangpur are passing days amid fear. Though most of them attended courts, they felt insecure, many of them said while talking to this correspondent.

Police official however said they have taken allout measures to ensure security to judges.

RU Correspondent reports:

Rajshahi Advocate Bar Association yesterday took out a procession and held a rally to protest the killing of two judges.

The lawyers boycotted courts on Monday.

Yesterday's protest meeting held at the Bar Association auditorium with its president Zillur Rahman in the chair was addressed by, among others, Entajul Haque Babu, Abdus Samad, Masum Ahmad, Nowsad Ali, Israfil Hossain, Tajul Islam Faruk,Abu Raihan , Abdul wahab and Mustafizur Rahman.

They said that the BNP-led coalition government has to bear the responsibility for the murder of two judges and all bomb attacks in the country as it patronises fundamentalist forces.

Rajshahi Lawyers Association and officials of courts also held a meeting at the court building yesterday and strongly protested the bomb attacks.

They also demanded security of lawyers and court officials.

The Lawyers Interest Protect Association of Rajshahi held a protest meeting on the court compound with its president Abdul Motallab in the chair.

They said the attack is a threat to independent judiciary system.

The Progressive Teachers Association (PTA) of Rajshahi University in a statement strongly condemned the bomb attack by JMB in Jhalakathi.

It said such attacks and bomb blasts are taking place one after another as the BNP-led coalition government is protecting the Islamist militants who are doing violence in the name of religion.

They said the judicial system will collapse, giving rise to anarchy in the country, if such incidents are not checked and said politics in the name of religion should be banned.

They also urged lawyers and the people to resist the fundamentalist forces.

Anti Imperialism Teachers Forum of RU in a statement also condemned the bomb attack.

They said if August 17 bomb attackers were punished the incident would not have occured.

Bangladesh Chhatra League (BCL) took out a protest procession and held a rally on the RU campus protesting the bomb attack in Jhalakathi.

Jatayatabadi Chhatra Dal (JCD), Progotishil Chhatra Jote (PCJ), Udichi RU unit, Anushilon Drma group, Sammilito Sangskritik Jote and Bangabandhu Parishad separately condemned the killings in Jhalakathi.

Rajshahi Peshagibi Parishad yesterday formed a human chain at Shaheeb Bazar protesting the incident.

Rajshahi city Awami League took out a protest procession and held a rally at the Zero Point Monday evening.

Our Nilphamari Correspondent reports: Judges and lawyers observed a 'pen down strike' in all courts in Nilphamari yesterday in protest against the killing of two judges in Jhalakathi. The lawyers also boycotted courts on Monday soon after the news of killing of two judges in Jhalakathi reached Nilphamari.

Yesterday, the lawyers brought out a procession in the town and held a rally on the Judge Court premises, demanding immediate arrest and punishment of the killers.

Speakers at the rally said JMP activists are killing people as the government failed to take any action against them. They demanded security of life of judges.

The Judicial Service Association will hold a meeting today to discuss the situation.

Talking tom this correspondent, Additional District Judge GMS Farid said judges and their families in Nilphamari are leading a confined life at their residential houses because they cannot go out due to lack of security.

Meanwhile police were checking visitors to courts with metal detectors.

Additional Police Superintendent Ali Azam said judges have been given police escort while coming to office and returning home.

Special police petrol has also been arranged in the residential area for judges and more steps would be taken, the ASP said.

Our Patuakhali Correspondent reports: The 14-party alliance brought out a procession and held a protest rally at the town yesterday in protest against the Jhalakathi bombing.

Speakers at the rally held in front of the Press Club demanded immediate steps to ensure security to judges an to nab the killers.

Our Moulvibazar Correspondent reports: Moulvibazar Advocate Bar Association at meeting yesterday resolved to boycott courts on Thursday in protest against the bomb attack in Jhalakathi.

They bitterly criticised the government fort its failure to protect judges from the attacks by fundamentalist forces.

Our Rangamati Correspondent reports: The Rangamati Zila Ainjibi Samity started a three-day court boycott from yesterday to protest the killings of two judged in Jhalakathi.

They will also bear black badges till tomorrow, said a press release.

Our Sirajganj Correspondent reports:: Judges and lawyers abstained from work yesterday to protesting the killing of two Judges at Jhahakathi and demanding immediate arrest and punishment of the killers.

District and Sessions Judge Mazdar Hossain told newsmen yesterday that the judges and lawyers are passing day in panic. They are feeling insecure both at offices and residences, he said.

Members of Sirajganj Bar Association brought out a procession on the court premises wearing black badges and held a rally. They condemned the attack in Jhalkathi and demanded security of life.

Security has been tightened in the court area, with a large number of policemen deployed there.

Awami League brought out a procession and held a rally in the town yesterday afternoon, bitterly criticising the government for its failure to protect judges.

Political parties and lawyers also took to streets and held rallies in Bandarban, Jessore and Pabna, according to reports from our correspondents.