Home Minister Salahuddin Ahmed has said no formal decision has been taken to launch a new joint operation in the country. He said coordinated activities involving the police, Border Guard Bangladesh (BGB), SRB (formerly RAB) and Ansar are part of regular law-enforcement operations against terrorism, extortion and drugs, and such activities will be further strengthened.

The minister made the remarks at a press briefing held after unveiling the foundation plaque for the construction of the new headquarters of Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) in Tejgaon, Dhaka, on Thursday (October 1).

Salahuddin Ahmed said the long-standing aspiration of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP to have its own headquarters at a well-planned and suitable location is now being fulfilled. The Public Works Ministry has allocated 3.428 acres (about 11 bighas) of land for construction of the Ansar headquarters. A modern and large-scale facility will be built there to address the space constraints and transportation limitations of the existing headquarters in Khilgaon.

The minister further said Bangladesh currently has around 20,000 Battalion Ansar and 60,000 embodied Ansar members. In addition, around six million trained personnel are working under 35,000 VDP team leaders. Combining regular and irregular members, it is the country’s largest force, he said.

He said additional facilities are being developed in Ashulia and Sher-e-Bangla Nagar in Dhaka to address accommodation shortages for Ansar members assigned to central duties, including dormitory and barracks facilities. Praising the Ansar force’s contribution during the July mass uprising and various national crises and in maintaining law and order, the Home Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to gradually addressing their financial and other demands.

Regarding various law-enforcement agencies, he said if evidence of negligence of duty or involvement in criminal activities is found against any member, the person will not only be withdrawn but also face appropriate departmental and legal action, including criminal offence cases.

The Home Minister said December is the month of victory and that no “evil force” would be able to create any kind of instability in the country during the month.

On traffic management in Dhaka, he said automation and artificial intelligence (AI) technology have been introduced to improve traffic management. Through the system, cases are being processed automatically and discipline is gradually returning to road traffic.

He also said instructions have been given to avoid digging up entire roads at once during road excavation and construction projects. Instead, work should be completed in sections and the roads reconstructed immediately to prevent traffic congestion.