Ansar-VDP aims to engage 6m members in national security
The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) has taken an initiative to engage its 6 million members more effectively in national security, disaster management and public services, Director General Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud has said.
He made the remarks on Wednesday while addressing the closing ceremony of the Upazila Ansar Advanced Training-1 course at the Patuakhali Ansar and VDP Academy.
The ceremony was held on November 4, 2026, in line with the ‘People’s Welfare Doctrine’ of Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
Addressing the trainees as the chief guest, the director general highlighted the importance of greater public participation in national security, coordination among different forces, skills development, employment generation and the modernisation and digital transformation of the force.
He said the force was working to build a more aware, responsible and capable public security structure by involving not only its members but also their families and local communities.
He added that special importance was being given to discipline, voluntary service and the spirit of sacrifice in the reform process following the 2024 mass uprising.
The director general said operational capacity in national security and disaster response was being strengthened through joint training and better coordination with other law enforcement and security agencies.
He said joint training programmes were being conducted with the Bangladesh Army and that training activities with the Bangladesh Navy had also resumed after a long gap.
He further said the initiative, taken under the guidance of the Adviser for Defence Affairs with the support of the Armed Forces Division, would gradually be expanded to coastal districts and other parts of the country.
In the future, coordination with the Navy, Coast Guard, Air Force, Fire Service and other relevant agencies would be strengthened to improve coastal security, protect fishermen and fishing boats, conduct rescue operations and respond to disasters and emergencies.
On employment generation, the director general said Ansar-VDP members were being provided with technical and vocational training to make them suitable for domestic and international job markets.
Initiatives have also been taken to create employment opportunities in Japan and Europe through Japanese language training and training in technical skills, he added.
He said activities were also underway through the Ansar-VDP Development Bank and the Sanjiban project to develop members as entrepreneurs and improve their financial capacity.
As part of the force’s modernisation and digital transformation, an integrated database of members, QR code-based digital training certificates, digital monitoring, digital attendance systems at field level and a CRA system had been introduced, he said.
The force’s volunteer network was also being involved in tree plantation, Clean Bangladesh campaigns, social awareness programmes and other public welfare activities.
During the ceremony, a video documentary on the training programme was screened. The director general distributed crests to outstanding trainees and digital certificates and Ansar Bank share certificates among the participants.
Senior officials and invited guests from the Bangladesh Army, Navy and different district-level offices, along with Ansar-VDP officers and members, attended the programme.
