Kaliakair: Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today called upon the members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to perform their duties with utmost discipline and strictly follow the chain of command. ‘In any country, adherence to the ‘chain of command’ and ‘discipline’ is an essential and mandatory principle for every disciplined force. If there is even the slightest negligence in these two areas, no force can truly become disciplined one,’ he said.
According to Bangladesh Sangbad Sangstha, Tarique Rahman, also the Chairman of ruling BNP, made the remarks while addressing the 46th National Rally of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) at the Ansar-VDP Academy at Safipur of Kaliakair upazila in the district this morning. He expressed the hope that through dedication, discipline, professionalism, and patriotism, the Ansar-VDP would emerge as a technology-driven and humanitarian social force in the future.
The prime minister emphasized that through professionalism, public engagement, and contributions to grassroots security and social development, Ansar and VDP have evolved into a multidimensional and people-oriented force. Referring to the role of the forces after the mass uprising on August 5, 2024, he noted their important roles in guarding police stations, managing traffic and ensuring security at key point installations during the period.
He also highlighted the force’s active involvement not only in maintaining law and order but also in creating social awareness, disaster management, and technology-based public services. The force’s structure, including Battalion Ansar, Embodied Ansar, Thana and Upazila Ansar, and VDP-TDP, plays a significant role in national security and socio-economic development at the grassroots level. ‘I believe this structure has established the force as both a central and grassroots-based institution,’ he added.
Rahman highlighted the force’s contributions to various sectors, including the Chittagong Hill Tracts, government offices, financial institutions, industries, power plants, and in social causes like child marriage prevention, combating violence against women, anti-drug campaigns, and promoting harmony among different ethnic communities. ‘This force has established itself not only as a protector of security but also as an important agent of social change,’ he said.
Prioritizing human resource development, the premier mentioned that the force is implementing multi-dimensional demand-based modern training programs, including Japanese language training, freelancing, digital marketing, and 6G welding, which are undoubtedly time-befitting. ‘I think these timely initiatives and activities will further strengthen the institutional capacity of Ansar and VDP both at home and abroad,’ he said.
The premier also acknowledged the Ansar-VDP’s role as a reliable ‘first responder’ volunteer force during disasters, commending their bravery, quick response, and humanitarian commitment during floods, fire incidents, and other calamities. He further noted the force’s environmentally friendly initiatives like rainwater harvesting and installation of solar panels and biogas plants as part of sustainable development efforts.
In sports and culture, he praised Ansar-VDP’s achievements, mentioning their consecutive wins at the 5th, 6th, and 7th Bangladesh Games and receiving the Independence Award in 2004. To ensure security for international standard sporting events, the government has initiated the deployment of 379 embodied Ansar members at 10 cricket stadiums nationwide. The introduction of the Sports Card under a salary structure aims to establish sports as a profession, and the government has awarded it to 15 Ansar-VDP athletes.
Remembering the force’s contribution to the country’s Great War of Liberation, the prime minister honored the memory of around 40,000 Ansar members who participated in the war with rifles, and the 670 members who embraced martyrdom. ‘We gratefully remember their contributions and pray to Almighty Allah for the eternal peace of their souls,’ he added.
After his speech, the prime minister toured different sections of the academy, including handloom and weaving industries, pottery units, livestock farms, and the Japanese language training center. He was informed about the activities undertaken by the Ansar and VDP members.
The event was attended by Information and Broadcasting Minister Zahir Uddin Swapon, State Minister for Railways Habibur Rashid, Prime Minister’s Defence Adviser Brigadier General (retd) Dr. AKM Shamsul Islam, Chief of Army Staff General Waker-Uz-Zaman, lawmakers, and senior government officials. Earlier at 10:00 am, the prime minister participated in the 46th National Rally of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at the academy, beginning the program by paying tribute to the martyrs of the Great War of Liberation of 1971 by placing a wreath at the memorial on the academy premises.
On his arrival at the parade ground of the academy, the prime minister was received by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury and Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud.