"It is now clearly evident that the ruling alliance having Jamaat-e-Islami as its partner has links to the militants. Jama'atul Mujahideen cadres are the associates of the ruling parties," Hasina, also president of main opposition Awami League (AL), said after an emergency meeting of 14-party opposition combine.

The AL chief also alleged that the government is using the militants to destroy the country's independence, democracy, and above all, the constitution.

She said the ruling BNP was prompt to take action against one of its lawmakers for making anti-militant statements, but it seems very much reluctant to go after the extremists.

She said, "There was no bomb attacks in the country during the Saarc summit while they [explosions] occurred before and immediately after the summit."

"It shows that the government can halt the blasts if it wants," she added.

On yesterday's suicide blasts in Gazipur and Chittagong, the AL chief said the government has orchestrated the attacks, using the JMB to shift people's attention from the anti-government movement, which has gained momentum after the November 22 rally.

Referring to frequent bomb attacks on the courthouses, Hasina said, "It seems the government is not sincere to root out the militants. It has failed miserably to provide security for the judges, lawyers and others in the courts."

She also alleged that because of Hawa Bhaban, Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) had to release Mahtab Khamaru, an aide to Bangla Bhai, within a few hours of his arrest.

AL leaders Abdur Razzak, Tofail Ahmed, Suranjit Sengupta, Motia Chowdhury, Obaidul Quader, Workers Party President Rashed Khan Menon, Jatiya Samajtantrik Dal (JSD) President Hasanul Haq Inu were present at the opposition combine's meeting held at AL's central office on Bangabandhu Avenue.

Meanwhile, different front organisations of AL brought out processions in the capital yesterday to protest the blast incidents in Gazipur and Chittagong.