No ‘Joint Operation,’ Says Home Minister as New Ansar HQ Plans Unveiled
Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed today clarified security efforts in Bangladesh. He stated that no formal decision has been made for a “joint operation” in the country. The Home Minister explained that coordinated work by different agencies is normal law enforcement.
Police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), Rapid Action Battalion (RAB), and Ansar work together. These ongoing activities aim to stop terrorism, extortion, and drug crimes. Such efforts will become stronger in the future, the Home Minister added.
Mr. Ahmed shared these remarks after an event in Tejgaon, Dhaka. He unveiled the foundation stone for the new headquarters of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP).
The government is building a modern, larger headquarters for Ansar and VDP. It will be located on 3.428 acres of land in Tejgaon. This new building will solve space problems. It will also ease transport difficulties at the current Khilgaon headquarters.
Currently, Bangladesh has about 20,000 battalion Ansars and 60,000 embodied Ansars. Around 60 lakh trained people are part of the Village Defence Party. They work under 35,000 team leaders across the nation.
New housing facilities are also being built in Ashulia and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar. These will provide accommodation for Ansar members working in central areas.
The Home Minister praised Ansar and VDP for their important work. They helped maintain law and order during the July mass uprising. They also served during other national emergencies. He promised that their financial and other needs would be met step by step.
Regarding other law enforcement members, Mr. Ahmed said actions are taken against those who neglect their duties. Legal steps are also taken against those involved in criminal acts. This includes departmental action and filing criminal cases when needed.
Looking ahead to December, the Home Minister spoke of national pride. He said December is Bangladesh’s month of victory. He assured that no group could create instability in the country during this time.
For Dhaka’s traffic management, new technology is being used. Automation and artificial intelligence (AI) help improve traffic enforcement. This system automatically processes traffic cases. Efforts are also underway to restore discipline on the roads.
Instructions have also been given to agencies doing road work. They must avoid cutting entire roads at once. Work should be done in sections and roads repaired quickly to reduce traffic jams.
Senior Secretary Manzur Morshed Chowdhury from the Home Ministry was present at the briefing. Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, also attended.
