She said this while addressing a discussion meeting at the city's Diploma Engineers' Institution as part of the countrywide Awami League (AL) programme to observe the Mujibnagar Day.

"Jamaat is the main patron and originator of militancy in the country and a discussion with them means discussing with militant kingpins Abdur Rahman and Bangla Bhai," she said.

The first ever government of Bangladesh took oath at Baidyanathtola mango grove in the border district of Meherpur. The place was later renamed as Mujibnagar as a tribute to Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, who was declared president of the country and supreme commander of the armed forces.

Presiding over the discussion, Hasina also referred to the ban on gathering around the Prime Minister's Office (PMO) and said the government will not avert its downfall by unleashing police on people.

"Tyranny of the government has been defeated in Kansat and it will happen wherever it tries to oppress the democratic movement of the people," Hasina, also the AL chief said.

She asked the law enforcers to decide whether they would stand beside the people or continue to protect the corrupt regime.

On the reforms in caretaker government and Election Commission (EC), Hasina said the government is reluctant to accept the reform proposals as they have vote rigging in mind. She vowed to materialise the reform proposals on caretaker government and the EC with a united movement.

Hasina also bitterly criticised the ruling coalition for destroying all ideals achieved through the Liberation War.

Senior leaders of the AL including Syeda Zohra Tajuddin, Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Sheikh Fazlul Karim Selim and Obaidul Quader also addressed the discussion.

As part of the programmes of the day, the national and party flags were hoisted simultaneously at Bangabandhu Bhaban, AL's central office and all its offices across the country.

Wreaths were placed in the morning at the portrait of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman.

In Mujibnagar yesterday wreaths were placed at the Mujibnagar Memorial. A rally and a cultural programme were also organised, our Kushtia correspondent reports.

AL leaders at the rally urged people to be united to root out the present ruling forces and establish the ideals of Liberation War as envisioned by them on April 17, 1971.

The rally held at the historic Mujibnagar mango grove was followed by a guard of honour to the freedom fighters and a cultural programme.

Senior AL leaders Syeda Sajeda Chowdhury, Mohammad Nasim, Prof Abu Syeed and Mozammel Haque addressed the rally along with local leaders.