A number of major roads leading to the EC were made off-limits to motorised vehicles during the programme, causing immense sufferings to the commuters, especially the school-going children who had to attend examinations.

During the sit-in held from 10:00am-2:00pm, the Awami League (AL) led alliance declared to go for tougher programmes, including laying siege to Bangabhaban, to realise their demands. These include reconstitution of the EC, correction of voter roll, de-politicisation of administration and cancellation of the election schedule.

They also demanded removal of President Iajuddin Ahmed from the post of the chief adviser (CA) saying that a fair poll is not possible under his leadership.

Hundreds of leaders and activists of the 14-party combine and the Zaker Party tried to march towards the EC Secretariat from two directions -- Mirpur and Dhanmondi, but as the police intercepted the processions, they held rallies at Russell Square, Dhanmondi Road-27 and Agargaon.

RUSSELL SQUARE
At the Russell Square rally, the 14-party leaders dubbed Chief Adviser Iajuddin Ahmed as the 'culprit behind all the conspiracies' and said that advised by the Khaleda-Nizami alliance, he is now showing unwillingness to make changes in the EC as per the package proposal of the advisery council.

"Cancelling all other programmes, we, millions of people shall lay siege to the Bangabhaban and stay there day and night until he (Iajuddin) is removed from the post of the CA," top AL leader Mohammad Nasim said while speaking as the chief guest.

Gono Forum leader Pankaj Bhattacharya suspected a 4-party alliance conspiracy behind the court boycotts by the justices. "They (4-party alliance) are acting against the nation today, which is why they should be sued for sedition," he added.

Nurul Islam, the 11-party coordinator, alleged that BNP leader Khandaker Mosharraf Hossain had threatened the advisers for their steps to make changes in the EC and the administration.

Among others, Obaidul Quader, advocate Shahara Khatun, Dr Abdur Razzak, Hasanul Huq Inu spoke at the rally presided over by Mofazzal Hossain Chowdhury Maya.

The 14-party leaders and activists started to gather at the Russell Square from around 10:00am. The law enforcers closed off part of Mirpur Road near the Dhanmondi Road-27 by barbed wire barricades when the demonstrators tried to march towards the EC Secretariat at around 2:30pm.

Barred from approaching further, the 14-party leaders held the rally and concluded the day's programme by burning an effigy of the chief adviser.

Awami Swechchhasebak League and Awami Jubo League also arranged Bijoy Mancha (victory stage) and Jubo Mancha (youth stage) and held separate rallies on the Mirpur Road.

AGARGAON
The sit-in at Agargaon intersection witnessed some heat yesterday when supporters of rival AL leaders of Mirpur Kamal Ahmed Majumder and Elias Uddin Mollah locked in a scuffle during the demonstration.

They, however, calmed down after their leaders intervened following AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury's call to both Kamal and Elias to bury their differences and organise demonstration from a single platform.

The leaders and activists of the 14-party combine and the Zaker Party massed at the Agargaon intersection later when the police halted their march towards the EC Secretariat. Processions coming from Rokeya Sarani had to stop at the same spot as the police put up barbed-wire fences there.

The 14-party combine, the Zaker Party and the supporters of Elias put up makeshift stages on trucks and staged separate rallies. AL Presidium Member Motia Chowdhury addressed the gatherings.

Cultural activists sang patriotic songs from the stages, keeping participants cheered up throughout the sit-in.

A huge contingent of police and paramilitary Bangladesh Rifles (BDR) personnel patrolled the area in armoured vehicles and water cannon to make sure no procession entered the perimetre of the EC Secretariat.