Gazipur Correspondent 

The closing and certificate distribution ceremony for the 'Riot Control' and 'Upazila/Thana Ansar Higher Training-1' courses was held at the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP Academy in Safipur, Gazipur, aimed at enhancing the professional skills and operational capabilities of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) members to maintain public order, control riots, and tackle emerging situations effectively. 

Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, Director General of the force, attended the event as the chief guest at the Bir Bikram Shahid Elahi Box Auditorium on Thursday. 

For the first time in the history of the Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, a five-day training program titled ‘Public Order Incident Response Training (Riot Control)’ was organized with the participation of a five-member specialist team from the Turkish Gendarmerie Force, beginning on November 1. A total of 118 trainees, including BCS (Ansar) officers, SRB members, and Ansar battalion personnel, participated in the course. 

The training imparted practical strategies and techniques for riot control, maintaining public order, and executing coordinated response measures in crisis situations. Concurrently, the 28-day 'Upazila/Thana Ansar Higher Training-1' course was conducted under the supervision of skilled and experienced instructors from both the Bangladesh Ansar-VDP and the Bangladesh Army, primarily aimed at strengthening the foundation of national defense through inter-force coordination.

Speaking as the chief guest at the closing ceremony, the Director General described the specialized training conducted with the Turkish Gendarmerie as a historic milestone for the force. He noted that the knowledge and skills gained from this training will play a crucial role in maintaining public order and law enforcement across the country, including post-election situations. Initiatives to modernize equipment and enhance operational capacity remain ongoing, while this joint program opens new avenues for mutual cooperation and future joint training exercises between the two forces.

He highlighted that the 'Upazila/Thana Ansar Higher Training-1', conducted under the framework of former President Ziaur Rahman’s 'People's Warfare Doctrine', will build members' competence and confidence for broader national sovereignty and defense responsibilities, including the upcoming winter exercises. 

Addressing the trainees, the Director General urged them to apply their acquired knowledge in the field, disseminate it among peers in their respective units, and help develop new trainees.

This training program provided Bangladesh Ansar and VDP members exposure to modern riot control techniques and the tactical expertise of the Turkish Gendarmerie Force, which is expected to significantly reinforce the organization's overall operational readiness and professional capability in maintaining public order.

The event was also attended by Brigadier General Mamunur Rashid, Additional Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP; Md. Saifullah Russel, Commandant (Additional Director General) of the Ansar and VDP Academy; representatives from the Turkish Embassy; visiting Turkish training officials and instructors; senior officers of the force; trainees; and other members.