The JMJB yesterday announced it would hold a public meeting near Rajshahi Airport today.

Later, the dreaded operations commander of the JMJB Bangla Bhai will lead a procession to the city and submit a memorandum to the deputy commissioner, seeking active support of the administration to eliminating underground operatives.

Leaders of the AL, left-leaning 11-party alliance and Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (Inu) met yesterday and jointly called the hartal.

They said the JMJB operatives have let loose a reign of terror since April 1 in parts of Rajshahi, Naogaon and Natore in the name of eliminating outlaws. The armed cadres have killed at least six people, maimed more than 100 others and harassed innocent villagers, they added.

UNB Noagaon Correspondent adds: More than 100 people, including eight operatives of the outlawed Purbo Banglar Communist Party (Lal Pataka), were arrested in a combing operation in four districts yesterday.

Sources said police and the JMJB cadres continued their operation in Atrai and Raninagar upazilas of Naogaon, Nandigram and Adamdi-ghi upazlas of Bogra, Naldanga and Singra upazilas of Natore and Bagramara upazila of Rajshahi.

Deputy Inspector General (DIG) of Police Mohammad Matiar Rahman yesterday held a closed-door meeting with senior police officials at Adamdighi Police Station.

He told newsmen later they were taking 'assistance' of the locals in the 'operation against underground operatives'.

The villagers along with police now guard their own areas. Groups of people in rotation patrol the outlaw-infested areas, he added.

The DIG declined to say whether Bangla Bhai would be arrested.

Police sources seeking anonymity said the meeting at Adamdighi discussed the JMJB participation in nabbing the PBCP cadres.