Members of Sampradayikata - Jangibad Birodhi Mancha, a platform against communalism, yesterday urged countrymen to uproot fundamentalism and Islamist militancy from the country.

Addressing a public gathering at Muktangan in the capital, they demanded ban on religion-based politics, reinstatement of the constitution of 1972 and immediate trail of the war criminals.

It would create avenues of socio-economic growth for the country, they pointed out.

The speakers warned that the recent killing in Rajshahi University by Shibir and the atrocities in Chittagong Hill Tracts are linked together. It is actually a manifestation that the fundamentalist forces are very much active and they are hatching conspiracy to unsettle the state.

They also demanded immediate trial of the people responsible for Ramna Botomul and Udichi bomb blasts.

Lawmaker Mahbubul Alam Hanif, joint general secretary of Bangladesh Awami League (AL), said fundamentalism and Islamic militancy were backed by two political parties, BNP and Jamat.

Lawmaker Fazle Hossain Badsha said even though they are no longer in power they are still conspiring. Mentioning recent atrocities by Shibir in Rajshahi University he said, these are manifestation of such conspiracy. He warned Jamat-BNP that any effort to spoil the recent democratic movement would be confronted.

Ajoy Roy, coordinator of the platform, said if these forces cannot be uprooted the country awaits another disaster.

Pankaj Bhattacharya, presidium member of Gono Forum, Rokeya Kabir, executive director of Nari Pragati Sangha, Mahmuda Imam, executive director of Karmojibi Nari, Mukul Chowdhury, vice president of AL Dhaka Committee, Lelin Chowdhury, general secretary of Kendriya Khelaghar, Ziauddin Tareq Ali, vice president of Sammilita Samajik Andolon, Dr Nur Mohammad Talukdar, general secretary of Bangladesh College-University Teachers' Association, Atiur Rahman, joint general secretary of Bangladesh Teachers' Association, also spoke.

The gathering was followed by a procession.