He was speaking as chief guest at a reception accorded to 11 party members who were released from jail on Thursday at the central office at Topkhana Road in the city.

They were arrested from a procession during a hartal called by the opposition 14-party alliance on January 22.

Menon said the government has no respect for democratic practices and that's why it is sending the opposition leaders and workers to jails without any fault.

He told the government leaders to reform the jails during their time, otherwise they have to suffer in the jail for their corruption.

Calling on the party leaders and members to make the February 5 'long march' a success, Menon said every member will have to be ready for going to jail.

He demanded of the government to withdraw the false cases against the opposition workers immediately.

WPB General Secretary Bimal Biswas urged the party members to gear up their agitation to oust the government.

"We shall have to struggle for the welfare of the political detainees also who are languishing in different jails across the country," he said.

WPB city committee Secretary Kamrul Ahsan presided over the function addressed by Jubo Moitri leader Mostafa Alamgir Ratan, Abdullah Al Mamun and Tapos Kumar Pal.

WPB Polite-Bureau member Haider Akbar Khan Rono, Anisur Rahman Mollik and Nurul Hasan were also present on the occasion.