Addressing a rally at Bangabandhu Avenue in the city, the opposition leaders accused the prime minister as well as the state minister for home for directing the law enforcers to torture the opposition leaders mercilessly on the streets.

The opposition combine organised the rally to protest police excesses on Awami Swechchhasebak League leaders during countrywide hartal on Thursday that left about 20 leaders including its president and general secretary injured.

"If the government continues beating up of our leaders and workers, reply will be given on the streets," said AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury at the rally.

She demanded implementation of the opposition's proposed electoral reforms within the tenure of the present regime.

Motia also reiterated that no election would be allowed to hold in the country without carrying out reforms in the caretaker government and the Election Commission.

Workers' Party President Rashed Khan Menon urged the party workers to take oath to resist those who conducted repression on the opposition leaders.

AL Joint General Secretary Obaidul Quader criticised the government for not warning the fishermen in the Bay before the depression.

"If the government had warned earlier, huge lives could be saved," he added.

Dilip Barua, Advocate Zahirul Islam, Nurul Islam, Syed Zafor Sazzad, Abdul Mannan, Dr Mostafa Jalal Mohiuddin, Advocate Sahara Khatun, Mirza Azam and Syed Khokon also spoke at the rally.

After the rally, the opposition combine took out a procession.

The combine will stage demonstrations on September 28 protesting against the skyrocketing price of essentials and on October 6 demanding uninterrupted power supply.