In preparation for the Sharadiya Durgotsav 2026, the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (Ansar-VDP) implemented a comprehensive and integrated security strategy across the country. The initiative aimed to ensure the safety of *puja mandaps* (worship venues), facilitate the smooth movement of the public, prevent criminal activities and untoward incidents, and uphold communal harmony. Under the clear guidance and close supervision of the force’s Director General, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud—who also worked to enhance operational dynamism in the field—the security framework for the festival became more effective and accountable. This was achieved through technology-based surveillance, the deployment of skilled personnel, rapid response capabilities, and close coordination with other law enforcement agencies and *puja* celebration committees.

Beyond ensuring security, Ansar-VDP members demonstrated a high level of responsibility, professionalism, and dedication. They provided services to visitors, ensured the protection of women and children, offered humanitarian assistance, and fostered public engagement—all of which contributed to maintaining a peaceful and harmonious atmosphere throughout the festival. This year, 212,818 Ansar-VDP personnel were deployed to secure 33,165 *puja mandaps* nationwide. Even at *puja mandaps* organized privately, the force maintained oversight through its own monitoring system—an integral component of a well-planned and extensive security strategy.

To ensure a swift response to emergencies and provide necessary security support, 624 personnel—organized into 104 “striking force” teams drawn from the Ansar Battalions—were kept on standby. The security operations, which commenced on October 15, continued through October 22. This sustained presence ensured security and order at *puja mandaps* and crowded public spaces, with a particular focus on guaranteeing the safe movement of all individuals, including women and men, even during the post-*puja* period. According to the force’s headquarters, it took various preventive and immediate measures in response to 131 separate law-and-order incidents during the Durga Puja celebrations.

These included 20 interventions to prevent vandalism—such as attempts to damage idols—36 resolutions of disputes, 2 actions to prevent arson, and 13 incidents related to narcotics. During this period, 49 miscreants were apprehended across 24 separate incidents; additionally, 15 children were rescued, and 6 individuals were arrested for theft. Furthermore, 9 cases involving various other issues were recorded, including the recovery of valuable items in 15 separate instances. These actions reflect the proactive engagement and sense of responsibility demonstrated by Ansar-VDP members in ensuring the security of *puja* pavilions, preventing crime, safely reuniting children with their families, and responding rapidly to emergencies. While performing their duties during the *puja* celebrations, 4 Ansar-VDP members lost their lives, and 17 others sustained injuries or fell ill.

During his visits to *puja* pavilions—ranging from those in Dhaka to others in remote parts of the country—the force’s Director General, Major General Abdul Motaleb Sajjad Mahmud, commended the spontaneous participation of the public, the collaborative spirit between *puja* organizing committees and Ansar-VDP members, and the coordinated efforts of various law enforcement agencies. He observed that the collective endeavor of a united public and the security forces has further strengthened the nation’s communal harmony. The effective implementation of a three-tiered security framework by Ansar-VDP for this national-level event has established a new paradigm in the country’s security management.

Key to this success were the precise selection of personnel via the AVMIS software, organized deployment through the STDMS software, and the execution of digital security operations using the ‘Sharodiya Surokkha’ (Autumnal Protection) app. In the context of building a ‘new Bangladesh’ following the events of 2024, he highlighted the emphasis on transparency, the integration of technology, accountability, and a shift in the mindset of personnel toward their duties as significant milestones in the force’s ongoing reforms and institutional development.

As part of a series of on-site inspections of various Puja Mandaps—ranging from those in the capital, Dhaka, to those in remote areas—the Director General of the Ansar & VDP force addressed attendees at the Dhakeshwari National Temple on October 20. During this exchange of Sharadiya (Durga Puja) greetings, organized by the Mahanagar Sarbajanin Puja Committee, he stated: “We must further strengthen a culture of working collectively for the nation—one that prioritizes public service, accountability, and public engagement, rather than a power-centric mindset.” In the context of the state culture envisioned for a new, democratic Bangladesh, his remarks underscore the importance of a public-service-oriented outlook, mutual trust, public engagement, and an integrated security framework.

At the same event, he highlighted the sacrifices made for the nation by Ansar & VDP members who passed away while on duty, describing their contributions as an exemplary model and a source of inspiration for all officers, staff, and members of the force. To implement the Director General’s directives, the force—from its headquarters’ control room and media wing down to the range, district, and upazila-level officers and field-level personnel—engaged in coordinated efforts that made the security operations for the Durga Puja festival both robust and dynamic. To ensure the effective application of technology in security operations, the ‘Sharadiya Surokkha App’ (Sharadiya Protection App) was utilized. Through this platform, 66,330 female Ansar & VDP members served as end-users, maintaining a continuous, 24-hour vigil.

They used the app to instantly report any incidents or untoward events occurring at the Puja Mandaps assigned to them. This enabled rapid, coordinated responses—in collaboration with Puja celebration committees, the police, local administrations, and other relevant agencies—to prevent disorder, incitement, the spread of rumors, and criminal activity, while also facilitating the resolution of issues as they arose. This security framework—built upon a combination of technology-driven surveillance, transparent personnel selection, disciplined deployment, and rapid field-level response—will serve as a valuable reference for managing security at future state events, large-scale public gatherings, and, in particular, upcoming elections.

The system emphasizes not only the operations of law enforcement agencies but also the active participation of the Puja Celebration Committee, local administration, relevant organizations, and the general public. The comprehensive approach—encompassing preparatory measures for the Durga Puja festival, security throughout the celebrations, and post-immersion duties—demonstrates the force’s strategic planning, integrated capabilities, and commitment to public service. Guided by the Director General, the collective efforts of personnel at all levels—from headquarters to the field—have rendered the security framework more dynamic, effective, and public-oriented.

As the nation’s largest community-engaged security force, the Bangladesh Ansar and Village Defence Party (VDP) remains dedicated to ensuring public safety, maintaining law and order, fostering social harmony, and providing humanitarian service. The exemplary standards of security and service demonstrated by its members during the 2026 Sharadiya Durga Puja—characterized by courage, vigilance, compassion, dedication, and a strong sense of responsibility—reflect the force’s professional excellence, technological modernization, and community-centered security philosophy. This will continue to play a vital role in upholding law and order, ensuring public safety, and enabling swift, effective action whenever the need arises.