Remain alert against BNP-Jamaat and their cohorts’ mischievousness: PM to Ansar and VDP

"I call upon each member of the law enforcement agency including the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP to further widen their vigilance, so that the communal forces, which are against democracy and the spirit of the War of Liberation, BNP-Jamaat-Shibir and their cohorts cannot destabilize the country anymore," she said.
Sheikh Hasina also urged the countrymen to remain vigilant against BNP-Jamaat clique's evil design to destabilize the country.
Addressing the 34th National Rally of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at its academy here this morning, Sheikh Hasina reiterated her government's firm commitment to uphold the spirit of the War of Liberation and ensure the rule of law in the country.
"The people have given their mandate to us to run the country for the third time. We are pledge-bound to keep the trend of development ongoing as well as steady pace for the welfare of the country and the people," she said.
The Prime Minister expressed the hope that each member of the Ansar and VDP would discharge their sacred responsibilities with the utmost application of professional efficiency, neutrality, transparency and accountability.

"I hope that you will discharge the task vested upon you with courage and you will also behave in a rational way with the people while performing your duty," she said.

Sheikh Hasina also advised them to be more sensitive to the helpless people, particularly women, children and senior citizens.

She mentioned that her government contained terrorism and militancy with iron hands and said the country is marching forward by overcoming the anarchic situation created by BNP- Jamaat and their cohorts. "Bangladesh won't be turned into a playground of militants and terrorists again," she said.

Elaborating violent and destructive acts unleashed by militant and terrorist outfits of BNP and Jamaat-Shibir, the Prime Minister said that they carried out unprecedented destruction on the individuals and properties as well as of public and private organizations in the name of the movement.

"Train and raillines were turned into their vicious target," she said, adding Ansar and VDP played a significant role in resisting sabotage in railway.

In this reagrd, she lamented that two members of the Ansar were killed and three more injured while on duty to protect trains and raillines.

Sheikh Hasina thanked the Ansar force for the responsible role it played in the January 5 elections and mentioned that one of its members was killed.

Describing various steps of her government undertaken for the welfare of the Ansar and VDP, the Prime Minister said whenever Awami League formed government, it worked for the welfare of the force.

"During our 1996 government I gave you the national flag and regularized the job of Ansar members after it completed 15 years," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said the duration for permanent of the job came down to nine years gradually, adding the job of 13,097 members of Ansar was made permanent.

The Prime Minister said there was no provision of providing dearness allowance to the Ansar members. "But now such allowance is being provided to all members including temporary, female, Hill and merged Ansars," she said.

Besides, risk allowance at a rate of 30 percent of gross salary is being given to the Ansar members, while Taka five lakh is being provided to each Anasar-VDP member as financial grant for the death on duty and Taka one lakh for critical injuries, she said.

Sheikh Hasina also mentioned giving time scale, two annual increased salary and raising ration allowance to Taka 80 from Taka 50.

Referring to the formation of new Ansar battalion, Sheikh Hasina said all members of the battalion have been given 7.62 cm automatic rifles and hoped that they would now be able to play their desired role keeping pace with other forces.

In this regard, she mentioned that steps would be taken to more strengthen structure of the command of the force.
On the occasion, the Prime Minister inspected the parade of smartly-turned out contingent of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP riding on an open jeep and took salute.
Later, Sheikh Hasina handed over Bangladesh Ansar Medals to four Ansar members, Bangladesh Ansar Medals (posthumously) to one, President's Ansar Medals to seven, Bangladesh VDP medals to one, President's VDP Medals to four, Bangladesh Ansar Services Medals to five, Bangladesh Ansar Services Medals (posthumously) to nine and President's Ansar Services Medals to 49 Ansar members.

Earlier on her arrival at the academy, the Prime Minister was received by State Minister for Home Asaduzzaman Khan Kamal, Home Secretary CQK Mushtaq Ahmed, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Md Nazim Uddin and Commandant of the academy Dilip Kumar Biswas. Ministers, advisers to the Prime Minister, parliament members, diplomats and high civil and military officials were also present at the function.

Later, the Premier addressed before the officers of the force at the Officers Mess at the academy.

Sheikh Hasina also enjoyed a colourful cultural function performed by the members of Ansar and VDP.

The Prime Minister inaugurated an Officers Mess, a multipurpose training shade and a swimming pool at the Ansar and VDP Academy.