The government should be put in the dock, he said and accused the government of violating the constitution by asking the law enforcement agencies to fire on innocent people.

He also urged conscientious people and the lawyers to stand by Kansat people and give them all kinds of assistance.

Dr Kamal, also the president of Gono Forum, was speaking as the chief guest at a reception ceremony organised by Kushtia Nagarik Parishad for the newly elected office-bearers of Supreme Court Bar Association (SCBA) at Islamia College playground.

At least 20 people have been killed in Kansat, Chapainawabganj, since January when the people started demonstration for smooth power supply.

"What were the crimes of Kansat people? Did they announce any armed revolt? Did they create any untoward situation? They only pressed home their demand for power supply," said Dr Kamal, who visited Kansat on Friday.

He said the people of Kansat were just demonstrating in the beginning. But they started hurling brickbats and carrying sticks when the police swooped on them, he added.

This is a total failure of the government to properly handle the incident, Dr Kamal said.

Referring to the opposition's ongoing movement for electoral reforms, the eminent jurist said the alliance government would be forced to meet the demands in this regard as these are people's demands.

The people will resist any ill motive of the government centring on the election, he added.

Presided over by Prof Mahtab Uddin Sarkar, the ceremony was also addressed by SCBA President Barrister Amir-Ul Islam, Prof Zillur Rahman Siddique, Barrister Rokanuddin Mahmud, Barrister Safique Ahmed, Prof Harun-or-Rashid, Dr Akhtaruzzaman, Dr Kazi Faruque and Advocate Abdul Baset Majumder.

Earlier, Islamic University unit of Bangabandhu Parishad also accorded a reception to Barrister Amir-Ul Islam on the university campus.