Ansar Bahini shares all the country’s success: Prime Minister
Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina said Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Forces are one of the partners in all the development activities and success of the country.
He said, Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force established in 1948 has a glorious history. The active participation of this force in the language movement and the Great War of Liberation was significant.
advertisement
He said this in a speech given on the occasion of the 43rd National Assembly of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Forces on Sunday (February 12).
The Prime Minister said, I am happy to know that the 43rd National Assembly of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force-2023 is being held. On this occasion, I extend my sincere greetings and congratulations to all the officers and employees of this force.
He said, responding to the call of Bangabandhu Sheikh Mujibur Rahman, the greatest Bengali of all time, the members of this force jumped into the great liberation war. At the beginning of the liberation war, Ansar members handed over 40 thousand three-not-three rifles kept in their arsenal to the freedom fighters. On April 17, 1971, 12 brave Ansar members honored the army by providing ‘guard of honor’ to the first government of the People’s Republic of Bangladesh at Amrakanan in Mujibnagar. Deep respect to all martyrs including Bhasha Shaheed Ansar Commander Abdul Jabbar and 670 brave Ansars who sacrificed their lives in the Great War of Liberation.
Sheikh Hasina said that Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Forces are one of the partners in all the development activities and success of the country. This well-organized, public-oriented force is making excellent contributions to various social activities including ensuring the security of important government and private institutions, family planning, public health, disaster management, environment protection, tree planting, prevention of women and child trafficking and maintaining law and order. Multifaceted developmental activities of this force in women empowerment, public welfare and building a developed nation are truly commendable. Apart from this, the members of this force continue to leave a mark of outstanding achievements in sports and cultural activities.
He said that the Awami League government has taken various steps to modernize and increase the capacity of this force. Provisions have been made for introduction of new uniforms for force personnel, provision of family rations, increase in ration material for general Ansar, introduction of state medals in recognition of bravery and service, creation of new posts in various grades for officers, promotion of TIs and overseas training of officers, staff and battalion members. Also formation of new Ansar battalion with a specialized guard battalion, reduction of tenure of battalion Ansar members and raising of pay grades of three ranks of Ansar battalion. Modernization steps have been taken in all areas including the infrastructure of the force. As a part of this, the construction of buildings with modern facilities at the range, district and upazila levels is already underway.
The Prime Minister also said that the members of this force are selfless and always active for national and local elections, various religious festivals and any nationally important needs. At the beginning of the global pandemic corona virus spread public awareness activities, masks and leaflets, ignoring the risk of death. During the labor crisis, Ansar members helped the farmers by taking home the crops, distributing relief and helping the patients coming to the hospital. Also, the brave initiative of the members of this force to encourage the adoption of the Covid-19 vaccine and to cooperate in the registration process and to perform duties in the specialized hospitals for Covid-19 is truly commendable.
At this time, the Prime Minister hoped that all the members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Forces would be inspired by the spirit of patriotism and the great liberation war and keep the reputation, tradition and dignity of the forces intact. They will play a leading role in building the golden Bangladesh and smart Bangladesh of the father of the nation’s dream by contributing more to the peace and order of the country and the overall socio-economic development. At this time, Sheikh Hasina wished the success of all the programs organized on the occasion of the 43rd National Assembly of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defense Force-2023.
