The teachers also expressed their surprise at Saturday night's statement by the president, who expected 'a free, fair and neutral election will be held on January 22.' Iajuddin proved his irresponsibility by making such observation, they said.

"How the January 22 elections can be free, fair and neutral as most of the political parties have already boycotted it?" the statement observed.

It said the president is performing his duties under instructions from the leaders of the BNP-Jamaat-led alliance since taking charge as chief adviser 'unconstitutionally.'

Condemning the mass arrest, which, according to the signatories of the statement, is launched in an apparent bid to thwart the political parties' agitation programmes, they said such move by the interim administration reminded the people of the immediate past BNP-Jamaat alliance regime.

Prof AAMS Arefin Siddique, Prof Najma Shahin, Prof MA Malek, Prof AK Azad Chowdhury, Prof Dr Harun-or- Rashid, Prof Sultana Shafi, Prof Farida Begum, Prof Ashraf Uddin Chowdhury, Prof ABM Faruk and Prof Mizanur Rahman, among others, signed the statement.