They also handed over a memorandum to the Deputy Commissioner demanding arrest of the Jamaat leaders for tarnishing the image of BNP by hurling abusive words against its leaders.

Yesterday's rally, organised by BNP-backed organisations in the district, signalled a virtual split in the ruling coalition in Satkhira as the two parties are fighting for alliance nomination in the Sadar constituency in the next parliamentary election.

Sources said the March 29 Jamaat rally at the same venue capped the row between BNP leader Abdur Rouf and Jamaat lawmaker Abdul Khaleque, both contending for alliance nomination. Rouf is also Chairman of Alipur Union Parishad.

Earlier, on March 27, fifteen activists of BNP and Jamaat were injured in a clash at a 'mehfil' (religious gathering) at Pachani village in the Sadar upazila over criticism of Jamaat Ameer Maulana Matiur Rahman Nizami.

Speakers at yesterday's rally demanded arrest of Jamaat leaders including lawmaker Abdul Khaleque, alleging that they were behind the March 27 attack.

They urged all democratic forces and professional groups to join hands to root out Jamat as it is sheltering militants who carried out blasts across the country.

On March 29, the district unit of Bangladesh Madrasa Shikhhak Parishad, a front organisation of Jamaat, held a rally at Shaheed Abdur Razzak park and brought out a procession in the town. Speakers at the rally bitterly criticised Abdur Rouf for his role against his coalition partner.