President Calls on Ansar-VDP to Bolster Law and Order, Play a Constructive Role

President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has called on members of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (Village Defence Party) to play a more effective role in maintaining law and order at the grassroots level and in constructive activities for the country.

The President made the call when Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban on Tuesday afternoon. President’s Press Secretary Md. Sarwar Alam later briefed journalists on the meeting. During the meeting, the President praised the Ansar force for its role in ensuring public security following the mass uprising, as well as in the 13th general election and various state activities. He emphasized enhancing the professionalism, discipline and public engagement of its members, while developing their skills and employability through training in foreign languages, technical skills and technology.

The Ansar and VDP Director General congratulated the President on assuming office. He briefed the President on various activities of the force, particularly quality training for Ansar members to facilitate employment at home and abroad, the creation of a member database, microcredit programmes and initiatives undertaken at the grassroots level to generate solar power. He also sought the President’s guidance and cooperation in carrying out the force’s responsibilities. The President said Ansar and VDP is the country’s largest security and discipline force with extensive public engagement. He recalled the contribution of former President Ziaur Rahman to the establishment of Ansar battalions and paid tribute to former Prime Minister and BNP leader Begum Khaleda Zia for her contributions to the force’s modernization, enactment of various laws and establishment of Ansar Bank.

The President praised the force’s contributions to solar power generation, human resource development, sports and cultural achievements, and public-oriented activities, and urged it to undertake more programmes and initiatives in the future. He also assured the Ansar and VDP chief that his support for the development of the force would continue throughout his tenure.

The Secretary to the President’s Office and senior officials were present at the meeting.