Thursday, October 6 2005 12:42 Hrs (IST) - World Time -

Dhaka: Three Bangladeshi judges and the Dhaka Bar Council have received threatening phone calls and leaflets seeking the establishment of Islamic law in the country, close on the heels of serial bombings targeting courts in various districts.

Unidentified persons called three judges in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong, which was hit by two bombing incidents, to work in line with the Islamic 'Sharia,' sources here said.

An organization called 'Islami Ain Bastabayan Parishad' or 'Council to Establish Islamic Law' mailed three leaflets to the Dhaka Bar Council seeking cooperation in establishing Islamic rule in Bangladesh.

Following the calls, the Bangladesh Bar Council has sought security from the government for judges, lawyers, legal staff and litigants coming to the courts.

The Bar Council Vice Chairman Rokon Uddin Mahmud and President of the its Executive Council Eusuf Hossain Humayun in a statement urged the government to provide security for these groups following a second round of attacks on courts last Monday. The first attack was on August 17.

"We demand exemplary punishment for the militants," they said.

On August 17, 63 of Bangladesh's 64 districts were hit by bombings targeting courts and government offices. The incident left three persons killed and 150 others injured.

Last Monday two people were killed and some 40 others were injured in attacks on courts in three Bangladeshi districts by militants.