THE Bangladesh Ansar and VDP is going to celebrate its 40th founding anniversary on Thursday amid daylong festivity. The force was formed as the “East Pakistan Ansars” and officially launched on February 12, 1948. About 40,000 rifles of the force were the arm-power of the struggle of independence at the beginning of our Liberation War. A total of 670 members of this force died during the War of Liberation in 1971. It’s to be noted that a 12-member team of Asnar presented guard of honour to the chief of the country’s provincial government at Meherpur Amrokanon on April 17, 1971. “Ansar” — the name originates from the Arabic word which means “volunteer”– specifically the companions of prophet of Islam Muhammad (PBUH), who accompanied him like volunteers during his exile from Mecca. Like the name, the Ansar and VDP members have been playing an important role in ensuring the country’s overall security, public safety and socioeconomic development since its inception.
Like other trained regular forces, the Ansar and VDP has been working restlessly in poverty elimination, women development, vocational training to unemployed youths, law and order maintaining, etcetera. Government has also taken various steps to strengthen capability of the force. Its members are now getting special training facilities at home and abroad. The Ansar-VDP Bank has been established with the view to enhancing their earnings. In women’s employment, the force also plays a significant role. A good number of women members in the force are working tirelessly for securing the rights of women and provides better service.
Even so, their working facilities are not enough in comparison to the huge members of the force. In particular, the scope of promotion of BCS cadre officials is limited. Besides, there is a great need of transports, modern equipments and tele-communication apparatus for better working condition of the force.
