Discipline vital to maintaining public trust in forces: PM

Prime Minister Tarique Rahman today urged members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to carry out their duties with discipline and strict adherence to the chain of command, warning that even minor lapses could erode public confidence in the force.

Addressing the 46th National Rally of the Ansar-VDP at the academy in Safipur under Kaliakair upazila, he said discipline and respect for the chain of command were fundamental principles for any disciplined force.

“Even the slightest negligence in these two areas prevents a force from becoming truly disciplined,” he said.

“If a lack of discipline is observed within any force, it creates a crisis of confidence among the public regarding that force.”

The prime minister said the Ansar-VDP had evolved into a multidimensional and people-oriented force through professionalism, public engagement and contributions to grassroots security and social development.

Highlighting the force’s role during different national crises, Tarique said Ansar-VDP members guarded police stations, managed traffic and ensured security at important installations during the post-uprising situation on August 5, 2024.

He said the force was also playing an active role in social awareness campaigns, disaster management and technology-based services.

Describing the force as a trusted “first responder” during floods, fires and other disasters, he praised members for their courage and humanitarian work.

The prime minister also commended several environment-friendly initiatives undertaken by the force, including rainwater harvesting, solar panels and biogas plants.

He said 16 of the 47 Ansar battalions were currently deployed in different parts of the Chittagong Hill Tracts, while around 52,000 integrated Ansar members were protecting key infrastructures, government offices, financial institutions, industries and power plants across the country.

According to him, more than 13,000 Hill Ansar and Hill VDP members are working to strengthen harmony and trust among different ethnic communities in the hill districts.

Referring to the force’s social role, the prime minister said VDP platoons at union level were working against child marriage, violence against women and drug abuse, while Town Defence Party (TDP) members were helping improve urban security.

Remembering the contribution of the force during the Liberation War, he said around 40,000 Ansar members joined the war with rifles and 670 embraced martyrdom.

The prime minister also praised the force’s human resource development initiatives, including training in Japanese language, freelancing, digital marketing and advanced technical skills such as welding.

Calling the initiatives timely and forward-looking, he said several draft regulations were now in the final stage, including the Ansar Battalion Rules 2026, VDP Regulations 2026, Auxiliary Ansar Rules 2026, and recruitment and promotion rules for battalion members.

He also mentioned plans to strengthen activities at the upazila level through the proposed Upazila Ansar Regulations 2026.

During the visit, Tarique toured various training and production facilities at the academy, including weaving and textile work, pottery, livestock farming and a Japanese language training centre.

Earlier, he joined the 46th National Rally after arriving at the parade ground around 10:00am.

He was received by Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar-VDP Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, and Senior Secretary of the Home Ministry Manzur Morshed Chowdhury.