Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md Jahangir Alam Chowdhury (Retd) said Bangladesh Ansar and VDP has been playing a crucial role in ensuring security and development of the country to build a discrimination-free country, reports BSS.
"Security and development are essential for building a just, integrated and discrimination-free country. Ansar bahini of the country is playing an important role to this end," he said.
Lt. Gen. Jahangir was speaking as the chief guest at the 45th National Assembly of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) at Ansar-VDP Academy in Safipur, Gazipur on Wednesday.
The contribution of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, which was formed aimed at serving the country to its social security system, is undeniable, the adviser said.
He said this force has a great contribution to building a safe social structure by establishing fundamental rights and bringing social development activities to the doorsteps of the people.
The force has a total of 42 battalions-- 39 male and two female and a specialized Ansar Guard Battalion (AGB), he added.
Of them, members of 16 Ansar battalions are serving shoulder to shoulder with the army, BGB and police as a supporting force in 'Operation Utran' to maintain peace and order in remote hilly areas, the home adviser said.
He recalled with gratitude the role of the force in strengthening social harmony and non-communal bonds.
"The members of this force are confidently fulfilling the responsibility assigned upon them by the state through integrating with the local administration in various religious events including the autumn Durga Puja," Jahangir remarked.
"The force is working closely with the upazila administration to check land grabbing, pursue anti-adulteration and anti-drug campaigns," he said, adding that the force has also been working in creating an investment-friendly environment in the country and providing security to the country's diplomatic enclaves.
Mentionable, the specially trained Ansar Guard Battalion (AGB) members of this force are playing a role in providing security to important installations including Key Point Installations (KPIs).
He said the Ansar-VDP members are playing a very important role in serving humanity in all natural and man-made disasters within the country.
Additionally, this force is playing an effective role in developing the youth as small entrepreneurs under the future employment and social business, the adviser said.
The force's village-based basic training has been brought under the modern syllabus and up-to-date policies, where the database of the largest volunteer organization, VDP, has been digitized and new infrastructure has been added, he mentioned.
Senior Home Secretary Nasimul Ghani attended the function as special guest.Director General (DG) of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud presided over the function.
At the function, the adviser presented medals to 18 officers, employees and other ranks of the Ansar and VDP in recognition of their commendable works.
A total of 156 people, including officers, employees of the force, have received medals in eight categories, four each for service and bravery.
Later, the adviser planted trees on the Ansar Academy premises, participated in a photo session and visited the cottage industry exhibition.
Bd-Pratidin English/ AM
