Doctors, poet, artists, academics, journalists and other professionals in the statement described killings without trial as bestial acts and said the criminals must be brought to justice. The killings in 'crossfire' if go unhindered will severely undermine people's respect for the judicial system, the statement read.

"The people of the country are always in favour of rooting out corruption and crime but killing by a special force without trial seriously goes against humanity," the statement said.

The constitution is being flagrantly violated and the judicial system of the country is virtually on 'the brink of a breakdown' due to such 'ferocious' and 'fascist' acts unleashed by the government. If such killings continue unabated, many in future will dare to defy the constitution and the judicial system, the statement said.

The signatories to the statement include, among others, poets Shamsur Rahman, Rafiq Azad; Profs Kabir Chowdhury, Serajul Islam Choudhury, Anisuzzaman, Mezba Kamal; economists MM Akash, Anu Mohammad, Abul Barkat, Atiur Rahman; columnists Badruddin Omar and Syed Abul Moqsud.