He sought intervention of the prime minister or other top government representatives to the exclusion of the minister in charge of the district and Rajshahi Mayor Mizanur Rahman Minu MP and local lawmaker Shahjahan Miah from discussion for a solution to the electricity problems.

"The government does not believe in democracy in the true sense. Like Hitler and Mussolini, they are resisting people's movement for fundamental rights. But such moves will only spark anger among people", Rabbani told journalists at a mango orchard at Karimbazar, some 5 km from Kansat.

"We want that the government withdraw false cases against us and sit in discussion to meet our demands", he said, adding that local lawmaker Shahjahan Miah is influencing Mizanur Rahman Minu and instigating the local administration to act against people.

"The firing on people and resisting movement are indicators of the government's intention to lock in war with people. A democratic government should not act in this way", he said.

"We are people of this land for which we fought in 1971. But the government has behaved with us like enemies from a foreign land. If we have no right to express ideas freely, what is the fruit of the Independence?"

"Out of envy, the local lawmaker took me for his political rival due to my popularity and is trying to resist me to destroy the movement. I earned the popularity by staying beside the people in last nine months that the MP has failed" he said.

A visibly frightened Rabbani said he had leant from a reliable source that two government lawmakers discussed plans to kill him in 'crossfire'.

"Fearing murder by either their party cadres or law enforcers, I can not stay at my house, and have to move to different villages," he said.

"Why did he [Minu] suddenly term me a terrorist just after March 6 violence?" Rabbani posed the question.

"Why did Shahjahan release me from jail being my guarantor on January 31, and why did Minu sit with me for discussion at my house on March 2? If I am a terrorist, they are my godfathers. They branded me a criminal for fighting for people. If it is a crime, I will continue to commit it," he said.

He refuted the government claim that most of their 14-point demand had already been met.

The government could have avoided violence and discussed impartially with people, he said, adding,

"Our movement will continue until our demands are met. It may end tomorrow, if the government wants."