President Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on Tuesday called on the members of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP (Village Defence Party) to play more effective role in maintaining law and order at the grassroots level as well as in constructive nation-building activities.

The president made the call when Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Director General (DG) Maj Gen Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud paid a courtesy call on him at Bangabhaban this afternoon.

President’s Press Secretary Md Sarwar Alam told BSS in a briefing after the meeting.

During the meeting, the president praised the contributions of the Ansar force in ensuring public security in the aftermath of the mass uprising, the 13th national election and various other activities with responsibility.

He put emphasis on making the members of the force skilled and employment-oriented through foreign-language, technical and technological training, alongside enhancing their professionalism, discipline and public engagement.

The DG, in the meeting, congratulated Mirza Fakhrul Islam Alamgir on assuming his office.

He briefed the president on various activities of the force, including ensuring quality training, members’ database creation, and initiating microcredit programmes.

He also noted initiatives undertaken by the force at the grassroots level for solar power generation and sought residents’ guidance in discharging their responsibilities.

The head of the state recalled the contribution of former president Ziaur Rahman to the establishment of Ansar battalions and respectfully remembered the contributions of former prime minister and national leader Begum Khaleda Zia to the modernisation of the force, enactment of various laws and establishment of Ansar Bank.

Mirza Fakhrul said Ansar and VDP is the country’s largest people-oriented security and discipline force.

He praised the force’s contributions to solar power generation, human resource development, achievements in sports and cultural fields and public-oriented activities.

The president also urged it to undertake more effective programmes and activities aimed at constructive nation-building.

He also assured the continuation of cooperation for the development of the force.

President’s military secretary, secretary and press secretary were present during the meeting.