Ansars have always played a vital role in maintaining law and order. During elections, Ansars play the key role in ensuring discipline and peace. In addition, they also contribute to ensuring smooth flow of traffic, providing security at government and private organisations.
Unfortunately, despite their wide spread engagement, Ansars are facing discrimination.
General Ansar members have to go on a mandatory six month leave after three years of service. When an Ansar member is on leave, a message is usually sent informing the person of his/her next post but this message often takes 3 to 4 months after the six month leave is over.
Ansar website adds: “Ansar members with smart cards will get the message within 15 days.”
However, Ansar members speak of a different picture. They say that the message informing them of a new post often takes six months to come.
During this time, the Ansar members are usually unemployed.
At government offices, markets, banks, financial institutes and hospitals, Ansar members are performing their duties and, as per Ansar headquarters, more than 48,000 Ansars are employed in security duty at 4,010 organisations.
As per police headquarter information, 2,500 Ansar members and more than 2,000 Ansars are performing duties with police.
No Ansar member is working with BGB at the moment; however, they are involved in ensuring security at sea, land and airports. Around 2,400 general Ansars and 40 battalion Ansars are performing duties at the Hazrat Shahjalal International Airport.
While performing duties at the 11 National Elections, five Ansar members died and they also play a role in ensuring security during Biswa Iztima, Durga Pooja and other festivals.
An Ansar member Shahin, adds: “I get Tk 13,000 as salary; since I stay in the camp, I can save some money to send back to my home.”
We get rations like rice, wheat and oil but less than what members of other forces are entitled to, deplored Shahin, adding: “During the six month hiatus, no on recognizes us.”

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