Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday (February 12, 2024) asked the members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to stand with courage and sincerity to resist any ill attempt to ensure public security. “As the largest force in the country, you have to rightly perform the duty bestowed upon you. You will have to resist any evil move to protect the public safety. You should do it with honesty, courage and sincerity,” she said.    The prime minister made this call while addressing the 44th national rally-2024 of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at Bangladesh Ansar-VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur. She said it is a sacred duty of her government to ensure security to the people and investment, and uphold peace. Read more: PM directs to be active on GI products “To maintain political stability, proper economic environment and continuation of democratic governance are prerequisites for the overall development of the country,” she said, asking all to uphold such an environment in the country. Focusing on the country’s development attained during her government,  Hasina said Bangladesh now has capacity to tackle any situation. The PM requested all to work hard with honesty to continue the country’s development journey.    She recalled the contribution of the country’s largest force Ansar-VDP, having 61 lakh members and 42 battalions including two women battalions and a specialised battalion, to ensuring security to public and private structures and organisations.     Read more: Explore new markets for Bangladesh's export items: PM Hasina tells BGMEA The prime minister said if Ansar is asked to perform duty for any national cause, they do it properly. “Even now our Ansar members have been discharging their duties with very competence in various important places starting from different foreign embassies stationed in Bangladesh,” she said. She appreciated the role of Ansar members to protect the country’s assets, including that of Bangladesh Railways from arson violence unleashed by BNP-Jamaat group in 2013, 2014, 2015 and 2023. Highlighting her government’s steps to modernise the Ansar and VDP,  Hasina said now the force is now earning fame at home and abroad. “We’ve been working to develop the Ansar and VDP,” she said. The PM reiterated her government’s conviction to protect the country from terrorism, militancy and drugs. “Our drive against corruption will always continue,” she said. She hoped the Ansar and VDP will continue their duty in containing the social diseases in future as well. Mentioning her government’s vision 2041 to build a Smart Bangladesh, PM Hasina said Ansar and VDP will also be developed as a smart force and will continue working for the development of the country. She said the government will make every village a smart and safe locality in Smart Bangladesh. On her arrival at the rally venue, the prime minister was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General AKM Aminul Haque. The Prime Minister inspected a parade of Ansar and VDP from an open jeep and received salute. She handed over eight types of special medals to 180 Ansar and VDP members for their bravery and praiseworthy services. The medals are Bangladesh Ansar Medal, President Ansar Medal, Bangladesh VDP Medal, President VDP Medal, Bangladesh Ansar Services Medal, President Ansar Services Medal, Bangladesh VDP Services Medal and President VDP Services Medal. The PM later witnessed a colourful cultural programme performed by Ansar and VDP members.

The body of an Ansar member was recovered from a washroom in a barrack stationed in Chuadanga Sadar Upazila Parishad on Thursday night, said police. The deceased Jamal Uddin, 55, was posted as a security guard of Sadar Upazila Nirbahi Officer (UNO) Fatema-Tuj-Zohora and a resident of Palty union under Kumarkhali upazila of Kushtia.  Double Trouble: Cold wave and heavy rains disrupt life in Chuadanga Jalmal’s co-worker Saidur Rahman said they along with Jamal were on duty but suddenly he went missing for a long time. After searching, his unconscious body was found lying inside the washroom of the barrack, he said, adding that he was rushed to Chuadanga Sadar Hospital's emergency department where physicians declared him dead. Lowest temperature recorded at 9.6 degrees in Chuadanga, Nikli Dr Afrina Islam, a physician of the hospital, said Jamal had died before arrival and he might have suffered from a stroke.  Sheikh Sekendar Ali, Officer-in-Charge of Chuadanga Sadar Police Station, said the reason behind the death will be known after getting the autopsy report. Chuadanga, Naogaon’s Badalgacchi record today’s lowest temperature in Bangladesh Expressing shock at the demise, UNO Fatema said they came to know from Jamal’s family that he had been suffering from heart disease.

A total of 189 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the fourth countrywide blockade called by the BNP, Jamaat and likeminded opposition parties is underway. Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) at BGB headquarters, confirmed the development this morning. Read: 152 BGB platoons deployed across the country amid BNP-Jamaat's latest blockade  Today, on the second day of the 48-hour blockade, 25 BGB platoons were deployed in Dhaka and adjoining districts to avoid any untoward incident. Moreover, an adequate number of BGB personnel were kept on standby to promptly respond to any emergency in the country, he added. Like the previous blockades, members of the frontier battalion have been performing their duties alongside police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Ansar to ensure public safety and security in Dhaka and other parts of the country. Read: Two passenger buses set on fire in Dhaka on eve of fresh 48-hr blockade  For the third week, BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties have called a countrywide blockade of roads, rail lines, and waterways to press home their one-point demand ahead of the national election. A total of three arson attacks were reported in Dhaka, Narayanganj and Savar on Sunday night.

A total of 152 platoons of Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB) have been deployed across the country to maintain law and order as the latest 48-hour countrywide blockade called by the BNP, Jamaat and likeminded opposition parties is underway. Shariful Islam, public relations officer (PRO) at BGB headquarters, confirmed the development this morning. Today, on the first day of the 48-hour blockade, 27 BGB platoons were deployed in Dhaka and adjoining districts to avoid any untoward incidents. Read: Garment workers' unrest: 44 BGB platoons deployed in Dhaka, nearby areas Moreover, a huge number of BGB personnel were kept on standby to promptly respond to any emergency in the country. Like the previous blockades, members of the frontier battalion have been performing their duties alongside police, Rapid Action Battalion (RAB) and Ansar to ensure public safety and security in Dhaka and other parts of the country. Read: 48 BGB platoons deployed to beef up security for garment factories in Dhaka, nearby areas For the fourth time, BNP, Jamaat and like-minded opposition parties have called a countrywide blockade of roads, rail lines, and waterways to press home their one-point demand ahead of the national election. A total of nine arson attacks were reported across the country from 8 pm last night to 6 am today, according to Fire Service and Civil Defence. Read more: 228 BGB platoons deployed to beef up security across the country amid BNP-Jamaat's 48hr blockade

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina today (February 12, 2023) reiterated that the country will never look back again and it will move forward to become a developed, prosperous, and smart Bangladesh. “Insha Allah, this country will never look back again. Bangladesh is advancing and will advance more… it will be ‘Smart Bangladesh’. We will have the ‘Sonar Bangla’,” she said. The prime minister said this while addressing the 43rd National Assembly-2023 of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP as the chief guest at the Ansar and VDP Academy in Gazipur’s Shafipur. Read more: Allow more women to excel in science: PM to int’l community She said that the country was liberated with the supreme sacrifice of blood during the Liberation War. “Today Bangladesh got the recognition of a developing country, and we want to advance further. We want to build Bangladesh as a developed and prosperous country, alongside ensuring socioeconomic progress,” she said. People in the country will not beg to anyone, she said. Read More: Encourage people to pay tax instead of harassment: PM Hasina asks revenue collectors Sheikh Hasina said that the coronavirus pandemic created immense pressure on the economy at the international level, while Russia-Ukraine war caused global recession, not just in Bangladesh. “I urge everyone to follow the footsteps of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman… do not keep a single inch of arable land unutilized,” she said. “For that Ansar and VDP can play a special role. They can help people in the villages and engage them in various cultivation activities to produce crops and preserve those. I hope that you will contribute,” the PM added. Read More: Off duty OCs clash with Ansar over parking at amusement park Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division Senior Secretary Md Aminul Islam Khan, and Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General AKM Aminul Haque welcomed the prime minister when she arrived at the venue. The PM handed over medals to 180 Ansar and VDP members for their outstanding contribution to their respective fields. She also inspected the parade and witnessed a smartly-turned out contingent of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP. Later, she witnessed choreography and a cultural programme. Read More: Shotguns, bullets snatched from Ansar members recovered; 10 held.

Boarder Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Ansar & VDP team retained the men's and women's titles of the Victory Day Handball Tournament'2022 eliminating their rivals in the finals at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here on Thursday. Former Rajuk chairman and former vice president of Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) Abdur Rahman witnessed the day's final as the chief guest and later he distributed the trophies at the closing function, chaired by BHF general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor. Border Guard Bangladesh clinched the men's crown for the 5th time, four time in a row, beating their traditional rivals Bangladesh Ansar & VDP team by 32-26 goal in the final Thursday afternoon. The match was locked in 12-12 goal in the first half. Read more: V Day Handball: BGB, Ansar reach men's final

Defending champions Boarder Guard Bangladesh (BGB) and Bangladesh Ansar & VDP tean reached the men's final of the Victory Day Handball Tournament' 2022 eliminating their rivals at the Shaheed (Capt) M Mansur Ali National Handball Stadium here on Wednesday. In the women's section, Holders Bangladesh Ansar & VDP and Badalgachi Handball Association qualified for the final beating their rivals at the same venue this afternoon. Both the men's and women's finals and the prize distribution ceremony of the meet will be held on Thursday (December 15) afternoon at the same venue. Read more: Victory Day Handball begins on Monday Bangladesh Ansar & VDP team will play Badalgachi Handball Association in the women's final at 1 pm while Border Guard Bangladesh will face Ansar & VDP team in the men's final at 3 pm. Former Rajuk chairman and former vice president of Bangladesh Handball Federation (BHF) Abdur Rahman will be chief guest in Thursday's closing function to be chaired by BHF general secretary Asaduzzaman Kohinoor. In the day's men's group matches, Boarder Guard Bangladesh beat Ansar & VDP team 32-26 while Bangladesh Police defeated Team Handball Dhaka by 36-23 goals.  Read more: V Day Handball: Ansar & VDP, BGB maintain all win run   In the day's women's group matches, Ansar & VDP team beat Jamalpur Sports Academy by 30-10 goals while Badalgachi Handball Association defeated Police Handball team by 21-17 goals.         

At least 10 people including police and Bangladesh Ansar members were injured during a clash with illegal occupants of Jangal Salimpur in Sitakunda upazila in Chattogram Thursday. The incident occurred in the afternoon when law enforcers went to visit a spot in Alinagar area where a camp of the Rapid Action Battalion (Rab) will be established, said Abul Kalam Azad, Officer-in-Charge of Sitakunda police station. Six of the injured were identified as Ansar member Bablu Mandal, 28, slum dweller Md Aliraj Hossain, 26, Amena Begum,35, Amena Begum, 50, Md Parvez and Md Rasul,20. They have been sent to Chattogram Medical College and hospital, said the OC. As the illegal occupants started throwing brick chips at the administrative officers on visit, police was forced to fire rubber bullets in defence, said OC Abul Kalam. On August 30, the district administration warned of an eviction drive to the illegal occupants of  Jangal Salimpur if they don’t relocate willingly. Also read: Over 400 BNP members booked over Faridpur clash

Bangladesh Ansar and VDP won a cycling competition with one gold, silver and bronze. The competition was held in the capital's Hatirjheel area to celebrate the birth centenary of the Father of the Nation Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman and the Golden Jubilee of Bangladesh’s independence.  Read:Central Asian Volleyball Challenge: Sri Lanka beat Bangladesh to be crowned men’s champions Bangladesh army won the runners-up award with one gold and bronze. Bangladesh Ansar won in the women’s competition while Banglades Army won the men’s competition.  Read:Bangladesh’s Iconic Sports Achievements in 2021 About a hundred cyclists joined the competition in 22 different teams.  Sanjida Khanom, the acting chair of the Bangladesh Cycling Federation, handed the award to the winners.

An ansar member was killed and 23 people were injured in a clash between two groups of villagers at Nischintapur village in Raiganj upazila on Tuesday.