Members of Ansar brought extra clothes for outsiders

The unrest involving Ansar members has raised concerns about the movement’s legitimacy. There were indications of outsiders participating in the protests by dressing as Ansar members. The Director General of Bangladesh Ansar and VDP, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sazzad Mahmud, stated that the movement escalated despite initial assurances to address the members’ demands. As a result, the jobs of the protesting Ansar members have been suspended for abandoning their posts without permission, demonstrating the authorities’ swift response to the situation.

The decision to revoke all weapons from the suspended Ansar members was made to prevent any potential risks to national security due to their disobedience. A committee has been established to address the situation, and those who failed to return to work have been labeled as absconders. Legal actions are being pursued against individuals who incited the Ansar members to protest, ensuring measures are in place to prevent future disobedience and maintain security.

Additionally, it was noted that the movement was influenced by various social media groups, which encouraged participants to bring additional clothing in addition to their standard uniform. This allowed non-Ansar individuals to blend in with the protesters. Despite agreeing to the protesters’ demands and forming a committee to address these issues, the situation did not de-escalate as expected. Consequently, multiple individuals have been arrested, and several cases have been filed in connection with the protests, demonstrating the government’s commitment to addressing the Ansar movement.

Furthermore, it’s been highlighted that by joining the protests, Ansar members neglected their duties in safeguarding important installations, such as the country’s airports and KPI establishments. Their actions were a clear violation of the law enforcement code, which strictly prohibits leaving work without permission. As a result, appropriate legal actions will be taken against the responsible individuals.

Addressing misinformation about the alleged recruitment of 29,000 Ansar members in Gopalganj district, it was clarified that each district has a specific recruitment quota, with Gopalganj district only having 1300 new recruits. This clarification was made to dispel the false information being circulated and to maintain public trust.

Lastly, the clashes at the Secretariat led to the filing of three cases by the police, resulting in the arrest of 375 Ansar members who are currently in custody.