Prime Minister Tarique Rahman on Wednesday urged members of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP to carry out their duties with discipline and strict adherence to the chain of command, warning that even the slightest lapse in discipline could erode public confidence in the force.
Addressing the 46th National Rally of the Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) at the Ansar-VDP Academy in Safipur of Kaliakair upazila, he also hoped that through dedication, discipline, professionalism and patriotism, the force will emerge in the future as a “technology-driven humanitarian social force.”
“In any country, the essential and mandatory principles for any disciplined force are adherence to the ‘chain of command’ and ‘discipline’. Even the slightest negligence in these two areas prevents a force from becoming truly disciplined. You must keep this in mind. If a lack of discipline is observed within any force, it creates a crisis of confidence among the public regarding that force,” the Prime Minister said.
He said the Ansar-VDP has become a multidimensional and people-oriented force through its professionalism, public engagement and contribution to grassroots security and social development.
Tarique Rahman also highlighted the force’s contribution during different national crises, including the post-uprising situation on August 5, 2024, when Ansar-VDP members guarded police stations, managed traffic and helped ensure security at important installations.
He said apart from maintaining law and order, the force is also playing an active role in social awareness campaigns, disaster management and technology-based services.
The Prime Minister also appreciated various employment and skill development initiatives taken by the force, including freelancing, digital marketing, Japanese language and technical training programmes.
He said the use of AVJOBS software and AI applications to create local and overseas employment opportunities is a timely initiative.
Tarique Rahman said the Ansar-VDP has earned public trust as a reliable “first responder” volunteer force during floods, fires and other disasters through its courage and humanitarian role.
He also praised the force’s environment-friendly initiatives, including rainwater harvesting, solar panels and biogas plants.
The Prime Minister said 16 out of the 47 Ansar battalions are currently deployed in different areas of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, while around 52,000 integrated Ansar members are working to protect important infrastructures, government offices, financial institutions, industries and power plants across the country.
PM joins 46th National Rally of Ansar-VDP
He said more than 13,000 Hill Ansar and Hill VDP members are working to strengthen harmony and trust among different ethnic communities in the hill districts.
Speaking about the force’s social role, Tarique Rahman said VDP platoons at union level are working against child marriage, violence against women and drug abuse, while Town Defence Party (TDP) members are helping strengthen urban security.
Referring to the force’s sporting achievements, he said Ansar-VDP won the Independence Award in 2004 and became champions in the 5th, 6th and 7th Bangladesh Games consecutively.
The Prime Minister said the government has also provided sports cards for 15 Ansar-VDP athletes under a special support programme for sportspersons.
Remembering the force’s role in the Liberation War, he said around 40,000 Ansar members joined the war with rifles and 670 members embraced martyrdom. “I recall their contributions with gratitude and pray to Allah for the salvation of their souls.”
Tarique Rahman praised the force’s human resource development initiatives, including training in Japanese language, freelancing, digital marketing, and advanced technical skills such as welding, calling them timely and forward-looking.
Referring to the government’s development plans for the force, he said several key draft regulations are in the final stage, including the Ansar Battalion Rules 2026, VDP Regulations 2026, Auxiliary Ansar Rules 2026, and recruitment and promotion rules for battalion members.
The Prime Minister also mentioned plans to further strengthen activities at the upazila level through the proposed Upazila Ansar Regulations 2026.
During the visit, Tarique Rahman toured various training and production activities at the academy, including weaving and textile work, pottery, livestock farming, and a Japanese language training centre, and was briefed on the activities of the members.
Earlier, the Prime Minister joined the 46th National Rally of the force as he arrived at the parade ground around 10:00am.
He was received by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar-VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud and Senior Secretary of Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury.
After the arrival, the Prime Minister placed a wreath at the martyrs’ memorial dedicated to the brave members of the force.