The persons with criminal records must not be killed, rather be brought to speedy trial, Dr Kamal said while speaking at the extended meeting of the central council of Gono Forum.

"I don't at all support the killings without trial," the eminent jurist said adding that there should be an initiative to ensure speedy trial for the criminals.

"It's a sheer irresponsibility of those who are sponsoring these killings," he said

Dr Kamal, also the president of Jatiya Oikya Mancha, blamed the ruling coalition partner Jamaat-e-Islami for the rise of Bangla Bhai.

Referring to Jamaat, Dr Kamal said the defeated forces will never be able to capture the country. "During the Liberation War of 1971, they collaborated with the Pakistani army but to no avail."

Disunity in the name of religion, localism, grouping and sub-grouping after 1971 have in fact benefited the defeated forces, he said adding, "Taking advantage of the dissension, the same evil forces have become active again."

Dr Kamal also said that people's rights enshrined in the constitution have to be established by forging a greater unity among the democratic, progressive and non-communal forces of the country.

Earlier, the meeting adopted an obituary reference to the slain Awami League lawmaker Shah AMS Kibria and observed a one-minute silence in memory of the former finance minister. It also demanded immediate arrest and trial of the killers.

Mofizul Islam Khan Kamal, Pankaj Bhattacharya and Abdur Rouf, among other Gono Forum leaders, attended the meeting.