The organisation staged a sit-in demonstration in front of the National Museum protesting police assault and arrest of six of its activists on Thursday near the Election Commission (EC) Secretariat when they went there to submit a memorandum demanding removal of the chief election commissioner (CEC) and reconstitution of the EC. The arrestees were released on bail later.

Speakers at the rally demanded withdrawal of the police officials responsible for the incident and stern action against them.

They also reiterated their demand for removal of CEC MA Aziz , other election commissioners and reorganising the civil administration for holding a credible election. They also demanded an end to repression on women as a tool of 'political tyranny'.

Bangladesh Mahila Parishad General Secretary Ayesha Khanam said President and CA Iajuddin Ahmed is quite indifferent to the people's demand. She regretted that the president says the country now has a presidential form of government.

The CA is supposed to perform his duties in a non-partisan way and to assist all the other advisers. But the arrest of activists of Peshajibi Nari Samaj proved his partisan activities, speakers said.

The situation in the country is quite critical and neutrality of the caretaker government is yet to be proved, said journalist Nasimun Ara Huq.

Prof Mahfuza Khanam led the sit-in programme while Dr Dipu Moni read out the memorandum that they submitted to the CA on Thursday and the other that could not be submitted to the CEC.

Those who spoke included Prof Zarin Rahman Khan, Dr Mahmuda Islam, sculptor Ferdousy Priyabhashini and artiste Sara Zaker while Dr Hamida Hossain, Barrister Sara Hossain, Prof Sultana Shafi, artiste Mita Haque and Prof Rehnuma Ahmed expressed solidarity with the programme of the organisation.