Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina has said the government would take steps for involving members of Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) more actively with local representatives and police to maintain law and order and combat militancy and terrorism.
She said the government wants to take equal security measures from capital to rural areas because of its commitment to combat terrorism and militancy.
Members of the 5m-strong Ansar-VDP battalion have to play their role in an integrated manner to identify the militants and terrorists in their respective areas, she said.
The PM was addressing a Parade and Darbar of the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP), marking the 36th National Rally of the force at Ansar-VDP Academy at Shafipur here.
The prime minister said Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Party is the largest force of the country linked with grassroots people. As a discipline force very close to the people, the force has an immense importance to us, she said.
Terming Bangladesh Ansar and VDP battalion as a partner of the development and progress, the prime minister said about 42,000 Ansar members are now engaged in ensuring safety of important installations and overall security. They would continue to play the role with sincerity, honesty and devotion to render their services to the people, she hoped.
On the occasion, an attractive parade and march-past of different contingents of Ansar-VDP was arranged at Platoon Commander Yead Ali Parade Ground of the academy.
Deputy Director of the force Saifullah Russell was the parade commander. The Prime Minister inspected the parade and took salute.
Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Home Secretary Dr M Mozammel Haq Khan and Director General of Ansar and VDP Major General Md Nazim Uddin were present.
Members of the cabinet, parliament members, chiefs of three services and senior civil and military officials attended the function.
Earlier, the Prime Minister handed over Bangladesh Ansar Award, Bangladesh VDP Award and President's Ansar Award to 79 Ansar and VDP members for their heroic role in maintaining law and order in the country.
The prime minister also distributed 17 gold, 25 silver and 21 bronze medals among Ansar and VDP members for their success in maintaining law and order and arms recovery. She also gave special award to 40 Ansar and VDP members.
Congratulating the members of Ansar and VDP marking their national conference, the Prime Minister said every member of the force has played an important role at different stages of the Bangalee's struggle for freedom.
Responding to the call of the Father of the Nation, she said many Ansar members joined the War of Liberation in 1971. A total of 670 members of this force embraced martyrdom in the War of Liberation, she said adding that the force distributed their 40,000 arms among the freedom fighters.
A 12-member team of Ansar presented a Guard of Honour to the government in exile of Bangladesh at Meherpur on April 17, 1971, she recalled.
The prime minister said members of Ansar and VDP are playing a praiseworthy role in protecting properties of railway, checking subversive activities on the highways. Besides, she said, presence of Ansar-VDP in all elections had drawn attention of the people.
The force is also playing an active role in maintaining law and order in the Chittagong Hill Tracts and south-western part of the country. She also praised the contribution of Ansar-VDP in sports arena particularly for becoming champions for the fourth times in Bangladesh Games.
Highlighting the successes of her government, the prime minister hoped that Bangladesh with the help of all would get its position amongst world community as a hunger and poverty free nation by 2021 and developed one by 2041.
Later, addressing a Darbar of Ansar and VDP, the PM announced her government's plan to recruit members in the Ansar battalion directly.
In view of this, she said the existing laws are being amended.
Sheikh Hasina said her government wants to see Ansar members in the forefront in the activities of national development. She urged the Ansar members to remain careful about the evil force misguiding people in the name of Islam.
She urged them to work in coordination with the local government representatives and law enforcement agencies to identify the terrorists and militants now carrying out subversive activities.
The prime minister also enjoyed an attractive cultural programme presented by Ansar and VDP members on the occasion and visited stalls of handicrafts made by Ansar-VDP members.