Minu, also a BNP lawmaker and minister in charge of Chapainawabganj district, said legal actions would be taken against the people responsible for the law breaking and the killings. "We already have asked the law enforcers to do that," he told the assembled newsmen.

Talking to The Daily Star, the mayor blamed Bikalpa Dhara Bangladesh led by former president Badruddoza Chowdhury for fuelling the Kansat movement, which peasants said is aimed at getting regular and proper power supply.

But, according to the minister in charge of the district, "Their movement is not against power crisis but the corruption of a few power officials."

"We withdrew the Palli Bidyut Samity officials and fulfilled many of their demands. Then why are they running the movement?" Minu asked and himself answered, "Their target is the elections. We have no doubt that Bikalpa Dhara instigated PBUSP [Palli Bidyut Unnayan Sangram Parishad] leader Golam Rabbani."

He also claimed the PBUSP asked people over loudhailers to join the Thursday's procession using names of Badruddoza Chowdhury and his ally Dr Kamal Hossain.

Minu also alleged that the PBUSP men hired Santal terrorists from Nachole of Rajshahi and Naogaon. These tribal people, armed with swords and bows and arrows, after parading some 7km from Kansat to Shibganj Town, attacked a local BNP protest rally, the BNP leader of state-minister's rank added.

On the other hand, another local BNP lawmaker, Shahjahan Miah, it was the main opposition Awami League, not Bikalpa Dhara, which was backing the PBUSP against BNP.

"The Thursday's incident was an deliberate and political one aimed at tarnishing my image. It broke the rule of law in the area. We will bring those responsible for the incident to book to restore peace," Shahjahan told The Daily Star.

Local BNP termed Kansat power subscribers' movement to be politically motivated by Bikalpa Dhara and Awami League, and vowed to take action against villagers who being attacked by BNP men locked into clashes on Thursday leaving four killed and 100 injured.

The PBUSP leaders, on the other hand, blamed Shahjahan for his "apathy and envy at the united movement of villagers" and expressed their determination to keep roads barricaded until a solution is made. Rabbani said they want proper and impartial investigation into Thursday's incident and punishment of the culprits.

"We have been cheated by the local BNP stalwarts. They promised and then left those unrealised. We want the prime minister to intervene," said PBUSP Joint Conveynor Aref Ali Tisu.

"It were police who first shot at us without any provocation and now the BNP is also attacking us. We are helpless," he lamented.

He said the names of Dr Kamal and Badruddoza were used to drum up support for the procession, as the two leaders extended support to their movement and promised legal assistance.

Police and witnesses said the PBUSP called the Thursday's programme about 15 days ago. While Shibganj Municipality Chairman Shamim Kabir Helin, a BNP leader, called the protest rally on the same day just three days ahead.

A senior police official said he repeatedly requested Shahjahan to persuade Helin to change the day of the protest programme to avoid any confrontation and violence, but the MP turned his request down.

On this, Miah said BNP had the right to hold any peaceful programme any time. He termed the villagers' accusation against him propaganda of his enemies.