In a statement, Gono Forum President Dr Kamal Hossain and General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik demanded fair investigation and exemplary punishment to the killers. They said the locals were staging a demonstration to realise their seven-point demand including minimum charge of electricity and the release of three leaders of Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Committee arrested in connection with January 4 incident.

Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon and General Secretary Bimal Biswas said the government cannot suppress people's freedom of speech by opening fire on them.

Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal President Hasanul Haque Inu and General Secretary Syed Jafar Sazzad said the Khaleda-Nizami coalition government is trying to stay in power through repressive measures.

The Chapainawabganj incident is a part of that ill motive, they added.

Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh President AQM Badruddoza Chowdhury in a separate statement said the BNP government is killing people to hide its failure in every sector.

Communist Party of Bangladesh (CPB) held a rally in front of the party office in the city protesting the killing.

Leaders of Bangladesher Samajtantrik Dal, 11-Party and Sylhet Division Development Action Council also condemned the police firing on innocent people at Chapainawabganj.