Speaking at a discussion in the city, they said the country has got political independence, but economic independence is yet to be achieved.

The discussion titled 'Independence of Bangladesh: Rise of militancy, communalism and fundamentalism' was organised at Dhaka Reporters' Unity auditorium marking the Independence Day today.

The 11-party leaders accused the ruling BNP of giving shelter to anti-liberation war criminals and fundamentalist forces in the country.

The government has long been patronising the militants to manipulate the upcoming general election, they added.

Describing militancy as a threat to country's independence and sovereignty, the speakers vowed to eliminate it from the society.

Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon said militancy has been created due to extreme differences between the rich and the poor and the life style between urban and rural people.

As the government is sponsoring militancy, there is no way to get rid of it except a unity on the basis of the sprit of the liberation war, he added.

Gono Form General Secretary Saifuddin Ahmed Manik said the failure of democratic forces has given rise to militancy in the country.

Gonotantri Party President Nurul Islam said only the successful implementation of 14-party's reform proposals can foil all conspiracies of the alliance government.

Samyabadi Dal General Secretary Dilip Barua, who presided over the discussion, said the militant forces have been posted in all government sectors to turn this country into a new Pakistan.

11-party leaders Pankaj Bhattacharya, Azizul Islam Khan, Abdus Samad, Zakir Hossain and Lutfor Rahman also spoke.