Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir  Alam Chowdhury (Retd) inaugurated the 45th National Assembly of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at Safipur in Gazipur today. Photo: BSS

GAZIPUR, Feb 12, 2025 (BSS)- Home Adviser Lieutenant General Md. Jahangir 
Alam Chowdhury (Retd) said here today Bangladesh Ansar and VDP has been 
playing a crucial role in ensuring security and development of the country to 
build a discrimination-free country. 

"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.

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 
organisation, 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.