212,118 Ansar-VDP Members to Ensure Durga Puja Security Nationwide

A total of 212,118 members of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) have been deployed across the country to ensure security during the Sharadiya Durga Puja celebrations, said the force’s Director General, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud.

He said eight Ansar members would be assigned to each puja mandap identified as high-risk and six to each regular mandap. Striking patrols would also remain ready to respond quickly to any untoward incident.
He disclosed the information at a press conference held on Thursday morning at the headquarters of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party in Khilgaon, Dhaka.

The director general said information on 33,165 puja mandaps had been recorded across the country this year. Of these, 6,914 had been identified as important or high-risk sites. Special emphasis was being placed on ensuring security at these mandaps.

He also said 104 striking patrols would operate alongside the personnel deployed at the puja mandaps. They would help coordinate security among the mandaps and respond quickly to any untoward incident to prevent opportunists from turning minor incidents into major disorder. The striking patrols would remain on standby to handle such situations.

The Ansar director general said the ‘Sharadiya Surokkha App’ would be used this year, as it was last year, to ensure security during Durga Puja. A total of 66,000 members would be registered on the app. It would enable authorities to receive information quickly in the event of an incident and coordinate with police and other law enforcement agencies.
He noted that a similar technology-based system had been successfully used during the last national parliamentary election. The app would again serve as a key tool for coordination.
He further said the force had its own monitoring system to oversee the activities of personnel assigned to security duties. Immediate action would be taken if any irregularities or unpleasant incidents were reported. Strict action would also be taken against any member found guilty of biased conduct.
Noting that the allowances paid to Ansar members serving during Durga Puja were relatively low, the director general said each member received approximately Tk 450 to Tk 500 per day. However, a proposal to increase their salaries and allowances had already been submitted.

He said members had to remain at the mandaps until late at night while on duty, making it essential to ensure adequate logistical support. Discussions had been held with the relevant ministry, which had assured the force of the necessary assistance.
The director general said one of the key objectives of reforming the Ansar and Village Defence Party was to foster a service-oriented mindset among its members. They were being encouraged to perform their duties with the utmost sincerity despite limited facilities.

Asked about the challenges of ensuring security during Durga Puja, he said, “Although the number of personnel is relatively limited, it is essential to ensure that they are properly present at their assigned posts. Logistical support is a major challenge in this regard. Food and other necessary facilities must be provided to members on duty at the puja mandaps. We will work in coordination with the puja celebration committees to ensure this.”
He added that mass gatherings or disorder could arise in certain situations. Members had been instructed to remain patient and carry out their duties responsibly in such circumstances. Even if they came under attack, they had been directed to maintain control of the situation and perform their duties professionally.

On preventing rumours and coordinating security, the director general said, “There is overall coordination with the police and other law enforcement agencies. District-level briefings and coordination meetings with various agencies have been completed. In addition, the ‘Sharadiya Surokkha App’ will play an important role in the rapid exchange of information and coordination.”