2024-08-28 16:50:02
Dhaka: Violent protests have been seen in Bangladesh for some time now. After a massive protest by students in Bangladesh, Sheikh Hasina had to resign from the post of PM and flee the country on 5 August. After Sheikh Hasina, an interim government has been formed under the leadership of Mohammad Yunus. After the formation of the interim government, when life in the country was returning to normal, the violent protests of Ansar Force (Ansar Vahini) have put Bangladeshis in a new worry. On Sunday night, the protest of Ansar Force members demanding job security turned into a violent clash and more than 40 people were injured in it. This conflict has created a danger of Bangladesh going towards a new turmoil.
According to a Firstpost report, the unrest caused by the paramilitary auxiliary force Ansar Force’s demonstration is becoming a major challenge for the interim government of Bangladesh led by Mohammad Yunus. The Ansar Force’s protests have further weakened the government’s already fragile position. Ansar Force’s demands for nationalization of jobs and better working conditions have put the government in a precarious position. The government’s response to this crisis is likely to have far-reaching effects politically and socially.
The reason for the people of Ansar Force coming out on the streets
Discontent among Ansar Force members is not new, there has been discontent among the personnel of this force for years. Its root is in the uncertain working conditions of Ansar personnel, especially those personnel who are part of the General Ansar Division. Unlike Battalion Ansar and Village Defense Party (VDP), members of General Ansar are recruited on a daily wage basis. They get 540 taka per day, which is not enough to survive. In such a situation, these people are demanding nationalization of jobs. On Sunday, Ansar personnel gathered outside the National Press Club and marched towards the Bangladesh Secretariat with this demand. The rally, which started peacefully, soon turned violent when Ansar members faced resistance from the officers. After this, there was a lot of violence.
The conflict between the Ansar Force and the government escalated when Dhaka University students joined them after being informed about the detention of prominent student leaders. The government reacted sharply and 352 people were arrested on Monday. These actions have sparked a widespread debate about the government’s handling of the situation and are believed to increase discontent within the Ansar Force. Meanwhile, the Home Ministry has formed a seven-member committee to review the demands of the Ansar members.
The role and importance of Ansar Force in Bangladesh
Ansar Force has made a significant contribution to the security issues of Bangladesh. Despite this, Ansar Force has long been struggling with issues of recognition and fair treatment. Ansar Force came into existence on February 12, 1948, soon after the partition of India. It was originally formed by the then Pakistan government to maintain internal security in the then East Pakistan. During the Indo-Pakistani War of 1965, people of Ansar Force joined the war and its members were deployed at border posts. After this, during the Bangladesh War of Independence of 1971, the Pakistani military rulers disbanded this force, but despite this, 40,000 Ansar members joined the fight for independence and many also lost their lives in this fight.
After the formation of Bangladesh, the Ansar Force was reorganised and expanded. It was officially recognised as a ‘disciplined force’ under the Ansar Corps Act, 1995 and the Battalion Ansar Act. The recent unrest within the Ansar Force is a wake-up call for the government. The force’s demands for job security and better working conditions are not just about salaries. They are also about respect and recognition for a force that has played a vital role in maintaining Bangladesh’s internal security for decades.