The Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) has launched joint training programmes with the Bangladesh Navy to strengthen coastal security, disaster response and grassroots-level national defence capabilities.
The announcement came at the closing ceremony of the Upazila Ansar Advanced Training-1 programme, held at the Patuakhali District Shilpakala Academy auditorium on Wednesday.
Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, director general of Ansar-VDP, attended the programme as the chief guest and highlighted the importance of public participation, inter-service coordination, skill development, employment generation and institutional modernisation in strengthening national security.
The training programme was organised in line with the 'People's Warfare Doctrine' introduced by Shaheed President Ziaur Rahman.
Addressing the ceremony, the director general said initiatives had been taken to engage the force's 6 million members more effectively in national security, disaster management and public service.
He said the post-2024 mass uprising reform process placed particular emphasis on patriotism, discipline, voluntary service and sacrifice. Efforts were underway to build a more aware, responsible and capable public security framework by involving force members, their families and local communities.
He said the force was strengthening its operational capabilities through joint training with other law enforcement and security agencies. Alongside joint exercises with the Bangladesh Army, training activities with the Bangladesh Navy had also begun for the first time.
Under an initiative taken with the support of the Armed Forces Division and following the guidance of the Defence Adviser, the joint training programme is planned to be expanded gradually to coastal districts and other parts of the country.
The director general said coordination with the Navy, Coast Guard, Army, Fire Service and relevant agencies would help improve coastal security, protect fishermen and fishing vessels, and strengthen rescue operations and emergency responses during disasters and other critical situations.
He also highlighted initiatives to develop skilled human resources and create employment opportunities for Ansar-VDP members.
Through technical and language training, members are being prepared for domestic and international job markets. Initiatives have been taken to create employment opportunities in Japan and Europe through Japanese language training and Prantik Shakti Limited.
He added that the Ansar-VDP Development Bank and the Sanjiban Project were working to develop members as entrepreneurs and improve their financial capacity.
As part of the force's modernisation and digital transformation, integrated databases of members, QR code-based digital training certificates, digital monitoring, facial attendance systems at the field level and a customer relationship management (CRM) system have been introduced, he said.
The force's volunteer network is also being engaged in tree plantation, cleanliness campaigns, social awareness and various public welfare activities.
During the ceremony, a documentary on the training programme was screened. The director general presented a crest to the trainee who achieved the best result, while other participants received digital certificates and Ansar Bank share certificates.
Representatives of the Bangladesh Army and Navy, officials from various district-level government offices, and Ansar-VDP officers and members attended the event.
