President urges Ansar-VDP to play bigger role in nation-building
President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir has urged members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to play a more effective role in maintaining law and order at the grassroots level and in constructive nation-building activities.
He made the call on Tuesday when Ansar and VDP Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban.
President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam disclosed the details while briefing reporters after the meeting.
During the meeting, the President praised the Ansar force for its contributions to maintaining public security following the mass uprising, during the 13th national election and in various other activities carried out with responsibility.
He stressed the need to equip force members with skills that could improve their employment prospects. He called for foreign-language, technical and technological training, along with greater professionalism, discipline and engagement with the public.
The Ansar and VDP director general congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on assuming office and briefed him on various activities of the force.
These included efforts to ensure quality training, create a database of members and introduce microcredit programmes. He also informed the President about grassroots initiatives for solar power generation and sought his guidance in carrying out the force’s responsibilities.
The President recalled the contribution of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman to the establishment of Ansar battalions. He also paid tribute to former Prime Minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia for her contributions to modernising the force, enacting various laws and establishing Ansar Bank.
Describing Ansar and VDP as the country’s largest people-oriented security and discipline force, Mirza Fakhrul praised its contributions to solar power generation, human resource development, sports, cultural activities and public-oriented programmes.
He urged the force to undertake more effective programmes aimed at constructive nation-building and assured continued cooperation for its development.
The President’s Military Secretary, Secretary and Press Secretary were present at the meeting.
