They made the call while inaugurating a month-long programme to create awareness against the war criminals in March, the month of Independence, at the local Shaheed Minar in the town.

Forum President Shahriar Kabir was the chief guest while Dr Austin Dacey, director of the Council for Secular Humanism, a US-based human rights organisation, was the special guest.

The forum leaders expressed deep concern over the rise of militant activities across the country.

They said independence and sovereignty of the country is at stake as the defeated forces of the war of Liberation have been carrying out bomb attacks.

They also criticised the government for its indifference to growing fanaticism and militancy.

Shahriar Kabir said war criminals must be brought to trial and communalism should be eliminated from the society.

Dr Austin Dacey said a country cannot progress without democracy that goes futile without secularism.

Later, a colourful procession was brought out with national flag in hands that paraded main streets of the town.

The forum started the month-long programme from Satkhira to drum up support across the country for the trial of the war criminals.