The ministries of law and home affairs, which are preparing rules to enforce the state of emergency, have also started preparing rules to impose censorship on the media including newspapers, said highly placed sources.

The censorship on the media is destined to have a drastic quashing effect on the freedom of speech and thought just like during a period of martial law, many said.

The Emergency Power Ordinance has already empowered the government to slap a ban on publication and broadcast of news that "harms public security, law and order, supply of essentials and services".

Any such publications may be proscribed and the broadcasting electronic gadgets seized, the ordinance promulgated the day after the declaration of state of emergency said, adding that transgressors may be subject to up to 14 years' rigorous imprisonment or death sentence as the maximum punishment.

The emergency ordinance has already barred persons affected by the provisions of the ordinance from seeking redress in any court of law.

The ordinance, which was given a retrospective effect from January 11--the day the president declared the state of emergency, also empowered the government to formulate necessary rules to enforce the emergency.

Sources said the rules are proposing to impose a ban on political parties' activities, including meetings, gatherings, rallies, processions, blockades and strikes, under the provision of the emergency ordinance.

The rules will also slap bans on activities of trade unions, clubs and associations.

When contacted, Home Secretary Abdul Karim told The Daily Star last night that they are working to formulate the rules in accordance with the ordinance.

Asked if the government is going to enforce this provision, he said he cannot tell anything on any specific issue without going through the details of the rules being prepared.

The rules will be finalised after the chief adviser and the law adviser to the interim caretaker government approve the draft of the rules, sources said.

Media personalities have already condemned the provision for imposing censorship on the media. They feared misunderstanding might arise between the caretaker government and the media over the issue.

They urged the interim government not to formulate any rule curtailing the freedom of the media, which is now playing a pivotal role in strengthening democracy.

They said they believe the newly formed caretaker government will not take any such decision against the media and will rather consider its role as a supportive power for holding a free and fair election.