"Nowadays we are hearing of different types of initiatives for unity from different quarters," he said adding that any such move without people's support would weaken the country's foundation.

He was addressing an opinion-sharing meeting on the role of the civil society members in the present situation of the country.

The Ain-o-Salish Kendra (ASK) and Sammilito Samajik Andolon co-organised the programme at the Liberation War Museum in the city. The discussants dwelt on law and order, political development and repression on the religious minority.

Kamal said people are looking for a way out of the misery they have been put in. On the recent recovery of huge arms, he said such illegal arms are making people feel insecure.

Other speakers at the programme stressed unity of civil society members against the 'misrule of the present government' and to press the mainstream opposition political parties to launch a united anti-government movement.

They expressed dismay at religious militancy in the country and accused the BNP-Jamaat-led coalition government of patronising the militants instead of resisting them.

They said repression on the minority has been institutionalised after the elections of 2001.

President of a faction of Jatiya Samjtantrik Dal (JSD) Hasanul Haq Inu said "We are creating a situation for foreign aggression in the country," and blamed the state and the politicians for such a situation.

Inu urged for greater unity of the social and political forces that opposed the alliance government.

General Secretary of the Gono Forum Saifuddin Ahmed Manik called for a sustained movement against all types of misdeeds of the government.

Dr Ajay Roy criticised the media for labelling the initiatives of the civil society members as the Third Force and said civil society members could play their part alongside the political parties in their anti-government agitation.

Khushi Kabir of Nijera Kori urged all to face the present situation of the country politically.

Presided over by Justice KM Sobhan the programme was addressed, among others, by Sultana Kamal of the ASK, Prof Ajay Roy of the Sammilito Samajik Andolon, Communist Party of Bangladesh leader Jiad Al Malum, Shirin Akhtar of Karmojibi Nari, writer Hayat Mamud and cultural activist Sara Zaker.