Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Thursday urged the members of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) to work with honesty, courage and integrity to defeat evil forces to ensure public security.

“We hope you’ll work with honesty, courage and sincerity to defeat evil forces for ensuring public security,” she said at the 40th national rally of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP at Bangladesh Ansar-VDP Academy in Shafipur, Gazipur.

Sheikh Hasina asked the Ansar and VDP members to contribute to the development of the country as Bangladesh has now acquired the capability to move on keeping peace with the world.

Reiterating that her government has been taking the country forward, she said, “We’ve created scopes for all to work together in it (development of the country). So, you’ve also many responsibilities here. You can make massive contributions to the development of the country.”

The Prime Minister asked the Ansar and VDP, being the largest force in the country, to perform the duties bestowed upon them properly.

“If we all work together, I think, the day is not far away when Bangladesh will be established as a poverty- and hunger-free, developed and prosperous country,” she said.

Mentioning that the government light up every house in the Mujib Year (2020-2021), the Prime Minister said the people of every village can enjoy urban facilities.

Praising the Ansar-VDP members, Hasina said the force has been playing a special role in curbing violence, militancy and extremism alongside performing their duties in different polls, including national elections.

The Ansar members have played a special role during the arson violence by making a significant contribution to protecting rail-lines, she said.

She said there are some 61 lakh Ansar-VDP members and 50,000 embodied Ansar members now engaged in ensuring security to public and private structures and organisations, keeping the wheels of the national economy running.

The Prime Minister said the Ansar members are entrusted with the duty of protecting public security, whenever it is needed in the country. Many Ansar members even sacrificed their lives in protecting the public safety and property, she added.

Hasina said the force has 42 battalions, including two women ones, to ensure the security of the country and localities, and its 16 battalions along with the Bangladesh Army are actively participating in operation and maintaining peace and order in the hill districts.

She noted that the Ansar members are also engaged in ensuring the security (as aviation security) to the airports and the security in diplomatic zones, to diplomats, businessman and important persons of the country.

“The formation of two more battalions are now at the final stage for maintaining security to Rooppur Nuclear Power Plant as well as Mujibnagar Muktijoddha Smriti Complex and Amrakanan,” she said adding that her government formed four Ansar battalions, including a guard battalion.

She said the Ansar and VDP Bank has been set up in addition to introducing risk allowance for the members of the force.

1. performing the responsibilities, the members of this force have brightened the image of the country in the international arena through sports and cultural practices as its members gained 68 medals out of 142 ones earned by Bangladesh in the recent SA Games.

On her arrival at the rally venue, the Prime Minister was received by Home Minister Asaduzzaman Khan and Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Major General Kazi Sharif Kaikobad.

Earlier, the Prime Minister inspected a parade of Ansar and VDP riding an open jeep and received salute. She handed over eight types of special medal to 143 Ansar and VDP members for their bravery and praiseworthy services.

The medals are Bangladesh Ansar Medal, President's Ansar Medal, Bangladesh VDP Medal, President VDP Medal, Bangladesh Ansar Services Medal, President's Ansar Services Medal, Bangladesh VDP Services Medal and President's VDP Services Medal.

The Prime Minister also handed over the posthumous medal to wife of late Golam Mostafa.

Sheikh Hasina later witnessed a colourful cultural programme performed by Ansar and VDP members and joined a “Darbar” of Ansar officers and members.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Monday described the clinching of the ICC Under-19 World Cup trophy by Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket Team as the ‘great gift’ for the nation in the Mujib Borsho (Mujib Year).

She said the young tigers will be accorded a grand reception for winning its maiden ICC Under-19 World Cup title after they return home.

The Prime Minister made the announcement at the outset of the Cabinet meeting, held at the Prime Minister’s Office.

“Winning the ICC Under-19 World Cup trophy by the Bangladesh Under-19 Cricket Team is a big gift for all and the nation in the Mujib Borsho,” she said.

On Sunday, the young Tigers wrote history for Bangladesh cricket beating four-time world champions India by three wickets in the final of the tournament at Senwes Park in Potchefstroom, South Africa.

Photo:Courtesy

Sheikh Hasina recalled that the Bangladesh national cricket team was given a grand reception at the Manik Mia Avenue in the capital in 1997 after clinching the ICC Trophy 1997.

“Whenever Bangladesh team had won any trophy, we gave a reception to them. We’ll also accord a mass reception to the ICC Under-19 World Cup-winning Bangladesh team,” she declared.

The Prime Minister said the players of the team worked hard in the last four years ahead of the ICC Under-19 World Cup. “So, they showed an excellent performance throughout the tournament,” she noted.

Hasina said the Bangladesh team defeated four-time ICC Under-19 World Cup champions India in the final. “They (Bangladesh players) have huge courage… they’re rising gradually,” she said.

Dhaka, Aug 18 (UNB) - Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina on Sunday said she does not want the protocol that creates an obstacle to her way to get close to people.

"It’s true people have elected me Prime Minister by casting their votes. But I'm the daughter of the Father of the Nation. So, I think I’ve a duty and responsibility towards the country. Being the Prime Minister, I never allow that protocol which creates a barrier, and I don't want to allow this as well," she said.

Sheikh Hasina said this while exchanging Eid greetings with officials at the Prime Minister's Office (PMO).

"I want to mix with all, know them and work with them. We'll work as a team so that the development of the country is expedited," she further said.

Pointing at the PMO officials, the Prime Minister said anyone can contact her directly, if needed.
 

Dhaka, Nov 13 (UNB) - BNP on Tuesday submitted another list of 1002 ‘fictitious cases’ filed against its leaders and activists to the Prime Ministers’ Office (PMO).

BNP assistant office secretary Taiful Islam Tipu told UNB that the fresh list of ‘fictitious cases’ was submitted to the PMO at 4:50pm and an official, Ruhul Amin, received it.

He said it was a partial list like that of previous one they submitted last week.

The BNP leader said they will send more lists of such cases to the PMO in the days to come. “We’ve so far submitted the list of 2,048 cases.”

Besides, he said, they will submit the same list to Awami League President’s Dhanmondi office.

During a dialogue with Dr Kamal Hosain-led Jatiya Oikyafront on November 1, Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina asked the BNP leaders to submit the list of its arrested leaders and activists to her.

In a letter attached with the list, BNP requested the government to stop the arrest and harassment of its leaders and activists in ‘false’ and ‘fictitious’ cases.

The party also urged the government to withdraw the cases.

Earlier on Nov 7, the party submitted a list of 1,046 such cases against its leaders and activists to the PMO.

Dhaka, Nov 7 (UNB) - A dialogue between the 14-party alliance and 24 political parties began at Ganobhaban over the forthcoming national election at 7:30pm on Wednesday.

Prime Minister Sheikh Hasina is leading a 23-member delegation of the 14-party alliance at the dialogue with the 24 parties.

The parties are the National Democratic Alliance, Bangladesh National Alliance (BNA), Bangladesh Social Development Party (BSDP), Bangladesh Gonotantrik Oikya Front, NAP Bhashani, National People’s Party (NPP), Bangladesh National Democratic Front (NDF), Jukta Front, Gano Front, Prgogotishil Jote, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Mukti Andolan (BGMA), Jatiyo Ganotantrik Jote (NDA), Bangladesh Satyabrata Andolan, Oikya NAP, Okyaboddho Nagorik Andolan, Gonotantrik Bam Oikya, Bangladesh Krishak Shramik Party (KSP), Progotishil Gonotantrik Dal (PDP), Bangladesh Muktojoddha Oikya Jote, Bangladesh Gonotantrik Oikya Jotr, Trinamool Jatiyatabadi Gonotantrik Andolan, Jatiya Swadhinata Party (JSP), Bangladesh Jatiya Party and Bangladesh Jatiya Hindu Mohajote.