Dr. Forqan Uddin Ahmed :
Bangladesh Ansar and VDP is one of the largest disciplined organizations of the country. At the grassroots level, the force has more than 6.1 million trained members. They are working relentlessly for socio-economic development and maintaining law and order at the each Upazila / Thana, Union and Ward levels in 64 districts across the country and have been playing a vital role in the prosperity of rural economy and law and order in the country as a whole. Bangladesh Ansar and VDP is committed to fulfilling the goals and objectives of this force. all the field units are coordinating with the field administration through 64 districts and 40 battalions at the field level as per the instructions of the headquarters of this force, it is playing an important role in rural socio-economic development, security of public and private organizations and maintaining law and order in the country. Only the Ansar and VDP forces have a large grassroots-trained population across the country. By utilizing the huge potentials and opportunities of this force, it is possible to increase the capacity of the force and make the desired development in various sectors for the development of rural economy and law and order in the country. Despite various limitations, the Ansar and VDP forces are working diligently to achieve the targets of implementation of the development plans ‘Vision 2021’, ‘Delta Plan 2100’ and ‘Vision 2041’ announced by the present government.
Ansar and VDP members are efficiently coordinating with the field administration to prevent terrorism, militancy, strikes, violence, theft, robbery, child marriage, rape, eve-teasing, rumors and subversive activities in the country. Besides, 15 armed Ansar members are deployed at the upazila level for the security of their residences including personal security of all UNOs and an Ansar Guard Battalion is deployed for the security of diplomats in the diplomatic zone in Dhaka metropolis. Ansar and VDP and Battalion Ansar members are responsible for security on railways and highways, Durga Puja and security at polling stations during strikes and violence by political parties to maintain peace and political stability in the country. At present, Ansar members are affiliated with the police in all metropolitan areas and Ansar / VDP members are serving in districts and upazilas. Ansar and VDP Officers, Trainers, Upazila Company Commanders, Union and Ward Team Leaders, Ansar / VDP Members Coordinate with the field administration at the Upazila level to maintain social stability, solidarity, working to prevent chaos, rumors, etc.
Ansar and VDP is a vast grassroots trained force. Nowhere else in the world is there such a large force in terms of manpower. The force has considerable capability and potential to address any challenges related to socio-economic development, law and order and human security issues in the country. Although Ansar and VDP have a lot of potential to face any challenge, they still have many limitations. The force does not have the necessary logistical support and legal capacity to conduct operations as an effective force. The Bangladesh Ansar and VDP forces have immense potential to address any challenge to the socio-economic development, law and order, skilled human resource development and human security of the rural marginalized people of Bangladesh.
To ensure the implementation of overall development in every village, the Ansar-VDP members may be given the task and responsibility by union parishad. In this regard, some development committee may be formed locally, especially in the village level ensuring the participation of Ansar-VDP members. These committee activities may be monitored by upazilla Ansar-VDP office and local union parishad jointly. Under the banner of peace, security and other social mobilization we may mention the committee as Law and order committee, Total literacy movement project/program committee, Health project/management committee, Agriculture project/ management committee. Committee relevant to gender issues and other socio-economic committee as required may be formed.
We all know that Ansar and VDP is a training oriented organization aiming at bringing socio-economic development and maintain peaceful law and order situation; showing the optimum standard of discipline comprising a vast number of workforces in Bangladesh. Ansar and VDP is meant for social upliftment. If the members properly trained they can contribute a lot in the nation building activities. Specially poverty alleviation program, employment creation and human resource development activities will come to a reality if enrolled youths of Ansar VDP organization are properly taken care of. There are scope and possibilities to assert human security in rural Bangladesh. It is the Ansar VDP, the People’s force, which can play a significant role in this regard. The fact is that this force has the potentialities but it is not being utilized. So the concerned authorities must have a reformative line of thinking about the Ansar VDP force and its proper utilization in the implementation of human security in rural Bangladesh.
(Dr. Forqan is former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP).
