Its Success and Failure

 

Ansar and VDP is the largest community based disciplined organization of Bangladesh. The total number of this force is more than 60 lakhs. The female members cover the half of the total number. The organization of the force is extended up to village level. In the villages, we have one male VDP Platoon and one female VDP Platoon each comprising of 32 members. In the union level, there is one Ansar male platoon and in every Upazilla there is one Ansar Company each comprising of 32 and 100 members respectively.Since the inception of Ansar-VDP, its members are taking part in law and order activities, Socio economic development activities & performing various other activities for alleviating poverty and improving the quality of life. As majority of its members are working at grass root level voluntarily & individually, so no mentionable study or survey has been done regarding the success, failure or impact of their performances. Ansar-VDP has a long tradition and mentionable historical achievement. In 1971 during Pakistan crackdown, the then Volunteer Ansar Members participated. In the "War of Liberation, 9 officers, 3 staff and 635 Volunteer Members who belonged to Ansar organization dedicated their lives. A historical guard of honor was given by trained Ansar members at Mujibnagar to the first head of Govt. of the People's Republic of Bangladesh.

As per the organogram policy, charter of duties and 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 2041', 'Delta Plan 2100' and 'Vision 2041' announced by the present government.

Practically Bangladesh Ansar-VDP has many problems and limitation of the force. Firstly, we want to mention Ansar-VDP Unnayan Bank. This bank is not well equipped and modernized. General banking system does not function here. This bank should be made vigilant, vibrant and competitive in terms of financial rules and regulation. Secondly, by organogram Bangladesh Ansar-VDP has one periodicals named "the Protirodh". The periodical is the spokesman of the force which will reflect all activities of Bahini but its activities have been made very casual and routine.

Publications are not up to the mark and hence it fails to achieve the objective of the force. This needs to be revitalized. Thirdly the Battalion Ansar members have been made permanent by counting 50% of total tenure. They neither get 50% of financial benefit nor the full. Moreover, no promotion policy is in practice as a result Battalion members are being deprived of getting promotion in due time. There is a long traffic jam in it which ultimately affects the soldier's morale. This problems needs to be resolved immediately. Fourthly, there is a provision of 10% quata in government service for Ansar-VDP trained members but it is only in papers. There is no implementation of it.

Under the above circumstances it requires reformation and revitalization of the force. Ansar VDP may be reformed by giving a specific rules and responsibilities. At present, it is auxiliary in nature when only they are embodied by government order for Puja duty or Election duty. They do the duty under police command. Moreover, they do policing by attachment in police station or camp and necessary operational activities. The Ansar fellows do every work jointly but credit goes to others. In the midst of such framework of job nature, Ansar fellows are suffering from image crisis. Also there is an identity problem. So conception must be changed - if not, break it rather to save them from concept of dependence. The provision for sending the soldiers and officers in the peace keeping mission like other forces should be opened as soon as possible. The officers are visiting and undergoing training courses in Turkey. The Turkey government is very eager for the orientation of their Gendarme force. As a process of force activities sharing and participation of courses by soldiers from Ansar Battalion should be incorporated. In the long run, like UN mission Turkey or any other country mission such as Vietnam, Korea, Thailand and China HRD and comprehensive training mission may be introduced. Through this process bilateral relation will develop and forces goal will be achieved. 

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.

The notable achievement done by Ansar VDP in human resource development is recommendable and a matter of appreciation in the country. The people trained by Ansar VDP are the skilled manpower in home and abroad. The organization is a key factor to change a man to skill manpower and finally human resource development will come to a reality. The immense prospects of Ansar VDP in our nation building activities may be evaluated. If the potentiality is utilized and members are properly trained, they can contribute a lot for attaining prosperity and pragmatic change of present Bangladesh. Especially the poverty alleviation program, employment creation and human resource development activities will come to a reality if Ansar VDP members are properly taken care of.

Every year Ansar-VDP day is being observed on 12 February. This year it is likely to be celebrated on 13 February 2022 with new hopes and aspiration in conformity with the message of Mujib Year-2020. Hon'ble Prime minister Sheikh Hasina is going to attend virtually the ceremony as chief guest. All preparations are on process. Today, Ansar VDP is not confined in its nomenclature, but its idea has expanded to the very depth and height with some noble motto and objectives taken by the enrolled members in a very challenging way, especially in the field of communication network, total defense system, safety and security of various key point instillation, industries and above all socio-economic development of the nation.

Finally, we can say that the way the Ansars are rendering their service is really tremendous which haunts our mind. It is the cheapest service that is found nowhere in the world. In terms of financial estimates of the properties and assets guarded may exceed millions and billions of moneys. Moreover, the Ansar VDP members are meant for maintaining public security which is an imperative for Ansar & VDP. Again we are hopeful of attaining the forces goal, by the connectivity of Bangladesh Ansar VDP with that of Gendermary force in Turkey. On 13 February,2022 the 42nd national Samabesh of Bangladesh Ansar& VDP is going to be observed. Honorable prime minister sheikh Hasina will attend the program virtually and address the Ansar members. It is assumed that this National Sambesh will bring significant result for Bangladesh Ansar VDP by her speech.


Dr Forqan Uddin Ahmed is a writer, columnist, researcher and Former Deputy Director General, Bangladesh Ansar and VDP