Fakhrul calls for national unity to combat social ills and implement Teesta master plan
BNP Secretary General Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called for a nationwide social movement to combat drug abuse, dowry, and other systemic crimes, declaring that the country now faces a critical opportunity to rebuild. Speaking as the chief guest at the "Enlightened Lalmonirhat Social Movement" event held Saturday at the Railway MT Hossain Institute grounds, the minister emphasized the urgency of protecting the nation's youth from the scourge of narcotics.
Addressing the audience, Alamgir argued that drug addiction is crippling society and destroying the future of the younger generation. He urged the public to form a united front against these threats, advocating for a grassroots approach that prioritizes community awareness to eradicate illegal practices. He praised the local initiative led by Disaster Management and Relief Minister Asadul Habib Dulu, expressing confidence that if the public rejects drugs, gambling, and dowry, the nation can move toward a more prosperous future.
The event also addressed regional infrastructure and environmental concerns, particularly the Teesta River basin. Alamgir reiterated the government's commitment to the Teesta Master Plan, noting that acting BNP Chairperson Tarique Rahman has pledged to see the project through to completion. He suggested that successful implementation of this plan would revitalize the livelihoods of people living in the region, building upon previous successful local movements aimed at saving the Teesta.
The event, presided over by Lalmonirhat Deputy Commissioner Muhammad Rashedul Haque Prodhan, featured remarks from Minister of Women and Children Affairs and Social Welfare A.Z.M. Zahid Hossain. Several local lawmakers and officials were also in attendance, including Hasan Rajib Prodhan, Md. Rokon Uddin Babul, and local law enforcement leaders.
As part of the movement's mission, Asadul Habib Dulu administered an oath to 3,100 volunteers dedicated to preventing social crimes such as child marriage and gambling. Preceding the main assembly, the initiative hosted seven dowry-free weddings at the Lalmonirhat Zila Parishad auditorium the previous evening. The program concluded with a procession that wound through the streets of Lalmonirhat, culminating at the "Hamar Bari" complex.
