The ward commissioners alleged Dainik Purbanchal carried some fabricated stories against pro-BNP Mayor Shaikh Tayebur Rahman about imposing new taxes on holdings and drainage system.

They have threatened to stop circulation of the local daily and burn its copies if its editor does not apologise.

Earlier on Sunday, officials and employees loyal to the city mayor burnt 150 copies of the daily at the Picture Palace Cinema intersection.

When contacted, Mayor Rahman sharply criticised Dainik Purbanchal for publishing reports on acute waterlogging in the city due to recent downpour. He was enraged at reports on tax raises and subsequent reaction of political leaders.

Leaders of all political parties including district and city units of BNP and Awami League and socio-cultural organisations, press clubs of all districts of Khulna division, Khulna Union of Journalists and Metropolitan Union of Journalists have strongly condemned the incident.

They said in separate press statements that Dainik Purbanchal has reflected public views against the mayor and his administration for arbitrary imposition of taxes on holdings through a secret assessment for the year 2003-2004.

Calling the daily the mouthpiece of the people of southwestern region, leaders of AL, BNP, Jamaat and Jatiya Party have warned the mayor of dire consequence if he continues his move against freedom of press.

Joint Secretary General of BNP Central Committee and Whip Mohammad Ashraf Hossain on Thursday said his party has nothing to do with the KCC move.

He criticised the mayor for his support to burning of the copies of the daily and demand for cancellation of its declaration.

Bangladesh Jubo Sangram Parisahd, Khulna unit, has announced a daylong programme on Monday to protest the recent move against Dainik Purbanchal.

Liaqat Ali, editor of Dainik Purbanchal and also a member of the executive committee of Newspaper Owners Association of Bangladesh (NOAB), on Thursday reaffirmed his newspaper's stance.

He said the reports were not aimed at tarnishing the image of KCC mayor but at drawing his attention for a remedy to public sufferings.

The mayor was not available yesterday for further comments as he was in Dhaka. However, KCC Public Relations Officer Abu Taher said the Purbanchal reports were motivated and not based on facts.