Carrying effigies of US President George W. Bush and British Prime Minister Tony Blair, the demonstrators marched in front of the American Center where they remained in the blazing sun for over two hours before dispersing peacefully.

Police said the protesters belonging to Jamiet Ulema-e-Bangla marched through the arterial roads of the city centre shouting anti-American slogans before reaching the American building, which has become the centre for regular anti-war protests since the US-led strikes began three weeks ago.

Security personnel threw a ring around the protesters as they tried to approach the American consulate and British deputy high commission.

The protesters raised slogans and placards like "Bush and Blair - go away from Iraq," "Bush and Blair - the wanted terrorists of the world."

"Muslims in the state of West Bengal have started boycotting American goods. They are also planning to take out a big rally to protest the US aggression in Iraq," Idris Ali, a protester, said.

SPACE.WIRE