Festive Durga Puja Reflects the Coordinated Strength of Law Enforcement, Says Ansar Director General

The Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and the Village Defence Party, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, has praised the responsible and coordinated role of the force's members in ensuring overall security for the Sharodiya Durga Puja, protecting communal harmony and immediately tackling any unwanted situation. In his view, the completion of this year's Durga Puja in a festive atmosphere is a reflection of the coordinated strength of the law enforcement agencies.

He made the remarks on Tuesday (20 October) while visiting a puja mandap at the Dhakeshwari National Temple in the capital, at an event organised by the Mahanagar Sarbojanin Puja Committee. During the visit he remembered with deep respect the Ansar-VDP members who died on duty, and highlighted the importance of the force's professionalism, public engagement and effective security management at the country's important state events.

The Puja Celebration Committee welcomed the Director General with flowers and an uttoriya. Bangladesh Ansar and the Village Defence Party also presented a goodwill gift to the committee and greeted them with flowers for the Sharodiya Durga Puja. Committee leaders warmly praised the outstanding responsibility of Ansar-VDP members on duty at puja mandaps across the country.

A minute's silence was observed in memory of TDP member Limon Sheikh (22) of Kurigram, VDP member Parveen (46) of Gaibandha and Feroz Khan of Tangail, who died while on duty during Durga Puja. Paying deep respect to their sacrifice, the Director General particularly highlighted the devotion, courage and sense of duty of the force's members while performing their duties.

The Director General said the coordinated activities and mutual cooperation that have developed among law enforcement agencies under the Prime Minister's direction and the Home Minister's leadership will play an effective role at important state events, including the upcoming election. The positive change in mutual trust, cooperation and responsibility between law enforcement and the general public is a significant advance in the country's security management, he added.

He also said the culture of working together for the country, prioritising public service, accountability and public engagement over a power-centred mindset, must be strengthened further. Members of Bangladesh Ansar and the Village Defence Party serve in significant numbers at every important state event and public security activity in the country, he noted.

In the Director General's words, the organisational structure spread to the grassroots and close engagement with ordinary people have placed the force in an important position for ensuring public security. In Durga Puja security, this capability is being reflected even more effectively through technology-based management, distribution of duties, information exchange and coordination with related agencies. The 'Sharodiya Surokkha Apps' is playing an important role in the information-based management of coordinated duty and security activities, he said.

Although the activities and types of duty differ across the force's four organisational tiers, the combined capability of members at all levels is extremely important for national security, public service and state duties, the Director General said. The 'Sanjiban project' can play an important role in improving the living standards and socioeconomic capacity of Ansar members working at upazila level and grassroots volunteer VDP members, he said.

In his view, if the project creates opportunities to change the lives of volunteer members, their institutional engagement, sense of responsibility and work skills will increase further. As a result, the coordinated participation of the force's members in any important state duty, including the national election, will be more fruitful.

Describing the festive atmosphere of the nationwide Sharodiya celebrations as a reflection of the historic tradition of communal harmony and mutual coexistence, the Director General said that alongside ensuring mandap security, maintaining religious harmony, social stability and the unhindered movement of the public is extremely important. Where attempts were made to create disorder, Ansar-VDP members on duty acted immediately and dealt with the situation at the initial stage. Such responsibility reflects the force's professionalism, alertness and commitment to public security, he said.

During the visit, the Director General instructed special caution in security management during the immersion. He said that as crowds and movement increase around idol immersion, special importance must be given to the safety of women, children and the elderly. Members on duty must prevent possible accidents, maintain public order and ensure the safe movement of devotees through maximum alertness, discipline and humane conduct.

The Director General also said Bangladesh Ansar and the Village Defence Party is performing its duties for Durga Puja security through a combination of professionalism, technology-based coordination, public engagement and humane service. The force will continue its public security role by maintaining a safe environment for religious festivals, keeping communal harmony intact and working in coordination with all concerned to tackle any unwanted situation.