Water Resources Minister and BNP Joint Secretary General Md Shahiduddin Chowdhury Anee has called for a united social movement to protect people’s dignity and build a better society, saying people have suffered enough over the past 17 years.

He made the remarks at a meeting organised by Life Line Welfare Organization at Ayesha High School field in Totakhil, Chandraganj upazila of Lakshmipur, on Friday.

Anee urged people to unite against social problems and work collectively for national and social development, saying the country had been regained through struggle and sacrifice.

“Do not issue threats of a one-point movement; there is no benefit in making such threats,” he said, adding that the BNP had emerged through street movements and struggles and would not be intimidated.

He alleged that Jamaat-e-Islami had colluded with the Awami League and enforced strikes and blockades for 172 days in 1996. He also described Islami Chhatra Shibir as a clandestine organisation that had operated at various universities before 5 August, urging people to remain vigilant.

Criticising opposition parties, Anee alleged that they were obstructing the government outside parliament despite delivering speeches inside the House.

He called for collective efforts to counter religious misinterpretations, misinformation and drug abuse, warning that those involved would face action regardless of their influence.

Later, Anee distributed sewing machines among women.