Nationalising Ansars Challenging Amid Economic Constraints: Adviser

Nationalising the jobs of general Ansar members is difficult given Bangladesh's current economic situation, said Home Affairs Adviser Lt Gen (retd) Jahangir Alam Chowdhury. He made this statement during a meeting with a six-member US delegation led by Chargé d'Affaires Helen LaFave at the Secretariat on Tuesday.

In response to LaFave’s inquiry about the Ansars, Jahangir acknowledged their demands for nationalisation but stated, “It is difficult to accept the demand in the current economic situation of Bangladesh.” He added that the issue had been addressed by cancelling the mandatory six-month rest period Ansars previously had to take every three years. With this change, members will continue to receive their salaries and allowances without interruption.

Ansar members have been protesting for the nationalisation of their jobs for the past two weeks. On Sunday, the government, along with Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, assured the protesters that their demands were being considered. A committee was formed to analyse the demands and submit a report within seven days.

Despite these assurances, Ansar members continued to block the gates of the Secretariat, leading to clashes with students and the confinement of seven advisers and several officials. At least 50 people were injured in the resulting chaos.

Following the clashes, 437 Ansar members were identified as suspects in four cases involving charges of attempted murder, rioting, and assaulting law enforcement. Of these, 377 Ansar members, including two women, were sent to jail on Monday. Authorities later claimed that outsiders had infiltrated the protests with the intent of destabilising the country.

During the meeting with the US delegation, discussions also covered cooperation in Bangladesh’s security and agriculture sectors, as well as rehabilitation efforts for flood victims. Adviser Jahangir Alam highlighted the US's role as a key development partner and requested financial assistance for ongoing flood relief efforts. He also emphasised the need for seeds, fertilisers, and other agricultural inputs to aid agricultural rehabilitation.

In response, LaFave noted that the US Department of Agriculture is working with nine government departments in Bangladesh and pledged continued support. She also praised Bangladesh’s security agencies for ensuring embassy security but called for long-term reforms, including in intelligence and police agencies, to enhance public welfare.

The meeting also addressed LaFave's request for access to radio frequencies for the US Embassy. Adviser Jahangir stated that a decision would be made after consultations with BTRC and other relevant agencies.

The US delegation included USAID Mission Director Reed Aeschliman, Political Counsellor Eric Geelan, Agriculture Attaché Sarah Gilleski, Defence Attaché Lt. Col. Michael Demichiei, and Law Enforcement Assistant Attaché Michael Hintz.