Be vigilant against drugs, terror and militancy: PM Hasina to Ansar-VDP

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has urged the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to be vigilant in preventing activities involving drugs and militancy.

Staff Correspondentbdnews24.com
Published : 12 Feb 2019, 09:32 AM
Updated : 12 Feb 2019, 09:53 AM

She made the call while attending the 39th National Rally at Gazipur’s Ansar-VDP Academy on Tuesday.

She then inspected a parade and took salute. In the beginning of her speech, Hasina remembered Abdul Jabbar, the Ansar member who was martyred during the Language Movement.

She also recalled the contribution of the Ansar members in the Liberation War of the country.

Around 500,000 Ansar members were on duty to ensure safety for 40,183 polling centres during last year’s general election, she said. 

Five Ansar members were killed in line of duty during the Dec 30 voting, she said. “Today we honour them with the posthumous courage award,” she added.

During her address, the prime minister praised the Bangladesh Ansar for their role during BNP’s anti-government movement in 2014 and 2015.

“The BNP were obstructing ordinary people from travelling on buses, launches and trains with arson attacks and handmade bombs. They were killing people with firebombing.”  

“It was during time that Ansar members played an important role in preventing those fire attacks and especially, in ensuring the safety of the railway. I earnestly thank them for the role they played.”

“You have proved your skills and success during national crises. Now you have to be vigilant against drugs, terror and militancy,” she told the personnel. 

Hasina mentioned different measures her government took for the development of the Ansar and VDP including risk allowance for members and the establishment of the Ansar-VDP bank.

“Our goal is to ensure the peace, order and safety along with socio-economic development of the people. We’re working towards this goal. We want to make Bangladesh a developed and prosperous country,” she said.