The call was made at a rally in front of the National Museum in the capital.

The speakers said the atrocities let loose by the law enforcers have surpassed even the Pakistani military junta.

They said 20 people who tried to realise their lawful demand of getting electricity were brutally killed since January.

They also pointed fingers at the local administration, which without any rhyme or reason, swooped on the Kansat people who launched a peaceful movement.

Quoting a report published in a magazine of Chapainawabganj, the speakers said Palli Bidyut Samity grabbed Tk two and a half crore last year without providing any electricity to the people of Kansat.

They accused Mizanur Rahman Minu, Rajshahi city mayor and minister in charge of the district, of unleashing terror on the local people.

They demanded exemplary punishment to those who turned Kansat into a slaughterhouse.

The path the government has chosen will heighten the prevailing tension, they added.

At the end of the rally, they placed a four-point demand to the government.

These are withdrawal of section 144 and law enforcers, compensation for victims, punishment of those responsible for killings and eradication of corruption at Palli Bidyut Samity.

Presided over by sanghati President Dr SM Atiqur Rahman, the rally was addressed by litterateur Syed Abul Maksud, filmmaker Mosih Uddin Sarker, sculptor Rasha and actor Jhuna Chowdhury.

Expressing solidarity, Bapa, Sheba, Peace, Green Voice, Shikhor 2000 and eight other organisations expressed their solidarity with the programme moderated by Sharifuzzaman Sharif.