Govt plans unified law for Ansar, VDP: Home Minister

“Instead of multiple laws, if a single, integrated law is enacted and modern rules are formulated under it, the force’s overall activities will be placed on a stronger legal footing and its management and control will become more orderly,” he said.

The minister made the remarks as the chief guest at a programme held at the auditorium of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP in Khilgaon to inaugurate the newly constructed ‘Agrajatra Bhaban’, ‘Prantik Sangjog’ service, ‘Prantik Shakti’ and a mobile IT training centre.

The minister said the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) is currently governed by three separate laws — the Ansar Force Act, 1995; Ansar Battalion Act, 2023; and Village Defence Party Act, 1995.

Referring to plans to establish a modern Ansar headquarters on 3.428 acres of abandoned land in Tejgaon following its lawful transfer, Salahuddin said the proposed multistoried facility and modern command centre would enable rapid information exchange with other law enforcement agencies, central operational monitoring and coordinated strategic planning.

Recalling the historical development of the force, the minister said Ansar and VDP had emerged as one of the country’s largest people-oriented security platforms through the evolution of a philosophy of involving citizens in ensuring national security.

He said three separate laws were enacted in 1995 and the force was awarded the country’s highest civilian honour, the Independence Award, in 2004, strengthening its institutional foundation.

Highlighting the force’s contribution to national security and maintaining internal peace and order, the home minister said Ansar members have been performing their duties with dedication and professionalism during national elections, religious festivals and at important state installations and public gathering places.

He also praised their role in joint security operations in remote hill and border areas, preventing illegal infiltration, drug trafficking and smuggling, as well as in eviction drives, crime prevention, rescuing missing children and combating brokers.

Salahuddin stressed the need to transform the country’s unskilled manpower into skilled human resources.

He said 100,000 TDP volunteers are being brought under modern training and digital management to build a strong volunteer network.

He said initiatives including Japanese language training, the ‘Sanjiban’ project, digital training, and the ‘Prantik Sangjog’ and ‘Prantik Shakti’ services would contribute significantly to employment generation at home and abroad, women’s empowerment and national economic growth.

The minister said the newly constructed modern headquarters would enhance the operational capacity of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP and further strengthen coordination between central management and grassroots-level activities.

He expressed hope that the centre would emerge as a modern model of public service based on good governance, discipline, professionalism, innovation, accountability and integrity, reports UNB.