Remain alert against drugs, militancy, terrorism

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Tuesday asked all concerned, including the Ansar and VDP members, to always remain vigilant against drug abuse, militancy and terrorism in the country.

“We must remain alert in resisting drug abuse, militancy and terrorism,” she said while addressing the 39th National Rally of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) at Ansar-VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur.

The Prime Minister said the battalion Ansar members and its embodied members have been sincerely working to maintain the law and order and ensure public security during different national, social and religious festivals in the country every year.  

Referring to the role of Ansar and VDP members in the December-30 elections, Sheikh Hasina thanked them for performing their duties during the polls competently.

“In the recently held 11th parliamentary election, some five lakh Ansar and VDP members performed their duties competently risking their lives for providing security to voters in 40,183 polling stations and presented a fair election to the people of Bangladesh,” she said.

Mentioning that five Ansar members sacrificed their lives performing the election duty, she prayed for salvation of the departed souls and expressed her deep sympathy to the bereaved family members.

At the rally, the five Ansar members were given ‘Moronuttar Shahoshikata Padak’ (Posthumous Gallantry Medals).

Later, the Prime Minister enjoyed the cultural soiree displayed by Bangladesh Anasar and VDP members.

On her arrival at the rally venue, the Prime Minister was welcomed by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan, Public Security Division Secretary Mostafa Kamal Uddin, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Kazi Sharif Kaikobad.

She inspected a parade of Ansar and VDP riding an open jeep and received salute.

The Prime Minister handed over special medals to 153 Ansar and VDP members for their bravery and praiseworthy services.

She gave Bangladesh Ansar Medals to 10 Ansar members, while President's Ansar Medals to 20, Bangladesh VDP Medals to nine, President VDP Medals to six members, Bangladesh Ansar Services Medals to 20, President's Ansar Services Medals to 40, Bangladesh VDP Services Medals to 16, and President's VDP Services Medals to 32 members.

Liberation War Affairs Minister AKM Mozammel Huq and Deputy Speaker Fazle Rabbi Miah were present.

Source: unb