Ansar VDP: A disciplined force by constitution
Dr. ForqanUddin Ahmed :
After the creation of two states namely India and Pakistan in 1947, virtually there was no sufficient security forceto augment the social security of the then east Pakistan.
In order to improve the law and order situation of the then east Pakistan, the Ansar organization came into being with the well off and capable person of society in the year 1948. A big part of this volunteer force participated in the glorious liberation war of Bangladesh.
Moreover, 40 rifles of this organization were being used in the war. A smart continent of Ansar presented a guard of honorto the Mujibnagar government on the 17th April 1971, in Baiddanathtola of Mehelpur.
In the long nine months of liberation war, the organization lost its 670 valiant members. Among them three were awarded with Bir Bikrom and Bir Protic. Language martyr Abdul jabbar was the enrolled commander of this organization.
Later on, Battalian was formed in 1976. VDP was formed comprising male and female members from each village on 5th January 1976. Ansar VDP is the largest organization extended to the grass root level.
The 60 lakh of its members are meant to maintain social security, crime prevention, to assist and support force of government for protection of sovereignty of nation.
Moreover, it is also meant for village leadership, human resources development, women empowerment, to ensure public health management of rural people, combating disaster management.
Finally they are playing a significant role for organizing public opinion, social awareness and socio-economic development.
Ansar and VDP is the largest community based disciplined organization of Bangladesh. The total number of this force is more than 60 lakhs. The female members cover the half of the total number.
The organization of the force is extended up to village level. In the villages, we have one male VDP Platoon and one female VDP Platoon each comprising of 32 members.
In the union level, there is one Ansar male platoon and in every Upazilla there is one Ansar Company each comprising of 32 and 100 members respectively.
Since the inception of Ansar-VDP, its members are taking part in law and order activities, Socio economic development activities and performing various other activities for alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life.
As majority of its members are working at grass root level voluntarily and individually, so no mentionable study or survey has been done regarding the success, failure or impact of their performances.
Ansar-VDP has a long tradition and mentionable historical achievement. In 1971 during Pakistan crackdown, the then Volunteer Ansar Members participated.
In the War of Liberation, 9 officers, 3 staff and 635 Volunteer Members who belonged to Ansar organization dedicated their lives.
A historical guard of honor was given by trained Ansar members at Mujibnagar to the first head of Govt. of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh, which became a part of history.
Today, Ansar VDP is not confined in its nomenclature, but its idea has expanded to the very depth and height with some noble motto and objectives taken by the enrolled members in a very challenging way.
Especially in the field of communication network, total defense system, safety and security of various key point instillation, industries and above all socio-economic development of the nation.
In every village, we have our VDP trained members. These members are being trained specially to ensure peace, tranquility, safety of peace loving people living in the remote villages.
The notable achievement done by Ansar VDP in human resource development is recommendable and a matter of appreciation in the country. The people trained by Ansar VDP are the skilled manpower in home and abroad.
The organization is a key factor to change a man to skill manpower and finally human resource development will come to a reality. The immense prospects of Ansar VDP in our nation building activities may be evaluated.
If the potentiality is utilized and members are properly trained, they can contribute a lot for attaining prosperity and pragmatic change of present Bangladesh.
Especially the poverty alleviation program, employment creation and human resource development activities will come to a reality if Ansar VDP members are properly taken care of.
Bangladesh Police is meant to serve people, at the same time Bangladesh Ansar is also meant to serve people Ansar is never a counterpart of Police.
Meanwhile, Bangladesh Police numbers have been enormously upgraded and the have been large the extended expanded in different names like hallway Police, river Police, tourism Police and many more.
Ansar members never feel jealous of Police. But Police raise protest whenever the issue of Ansar environment is playtest before any committee Bangladesh penal code and Crpc is dealt by Police only through a delegation power of government. The two subjects are mainly exercised and executed by judiciary. It is the jurisdiction of judicial service.
In judicial aspect, Police members are supposed to asset the judicial activities. So what is the harm of the Ansar fellows if they are delegated the same activities of judicial area. But this sharing is highly objected by Police.
They treat it as a matter of defamation for them. Ansar VDP is a disciplined force by constitution. It has not been made an auxiliary in article but by practice and by the very meaning of Ansar. This force has been treated as an auxiliary of police and army.
It is indeed a misconception of ideas for which Ansars are facing the identity crisis. Police and army are not treated as an auxiliary of any other department or agency.
In the present world, no department is depended on others. In Bangladesh, this culture remains as the culture of British colonial system. Its consequence is affecting the moral of Ansar there suffering from complexities.
Before I conclude, the Ansar force may have a space to stand independently and government should utilize this force giving strengths, structure and with separate identity.
(The writer is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar & VDP)
