Village Defence Party
Encyclopedia
The Village Defence Party (VDPs) is a law enforcement force in Bangladesh
, organised in distinct units at the level of individual villages and urban towns. It is administered by the Home Ministry of the central Government of Bangladesh. Although domestic security is its main objective, the Village Defence Parties are also specifically charged with working on village development and welfare schemes.
, the late President of Bangladesh
in 1976 as part of his "self-sufficient village government plan." The equivalent of the VDP for small towns is the "Town Defence Party." After Zia's assassination
in 1981, the VDPs became less prominent, but its role in local development was re-emphasized as part of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad's decentralisation policy. In 1988, the total numbers participating in VDPs across the nation stood at 10 million.
of men and a platoon of women. Similarly, there is one platoon of men and another of women in every ward of metropolitan
cities in Bangladesh. At union level command channel, there is one male and one female Union Leader in each Union. The director general of the Bangladesh Ansar
is also the chief of the Village Defence Party. The post is currently held by Major General
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy
, a former director of military intelligence with the Bangladeshi army.
Bangladesh
Bangladesh , officially the People's Republic of Bangladesh is a sovereign state located in South Asia. It is bordered by India on all sides except for a small border with Burma to the far southeast and by the Bay of Bengal to the south...
, organised in distinct units at the level of individual villages and urban towns. It is administered by the Home Ministry of the central Government of Bangladesh. Although domestic security is its main objective, the Village Defence Parties are also specifically charged with working on village development and welfare schemes.
History
The Village Defence Party system was created by Ziaur RahmanZiaur Rahman
President Ziaur Rahman, Bir Uttam, was a Bangladeshi politician and general, who read the declaration of Independence of Bangladesh on March 26, 1971 on behalf of Sheikh Mujibur Rahman. He later became the seventh President of Bangladesh from 1977 until 1981...
, the late President of Bangladesh
President of Bangladesh
Since 1991, the President of Bangladesh is the head of state, a largely ceremonial post elected by the parliament. Since 1996, the President's role becomes more important after the term of the government has finished, when his executive authority is enhanced as laid down in the constitution of the...
in 1976 as part of his "self-sufficient village government plan." The equivalent of the VDP for small towns is the "Town Defence Party." After Zia's assassination
Assassination of Ziaur Rahman
Ziaur Rahman, the president of Bangladesh, was assassinated by a faction of officers of Bangladesh Army, on May 30, 1981, in the south-eastern port city of Chittagong. Zia went to Chittagong to arbitrate a clash between the local leaders of his party, Bangladesh Nationalist Party...
in 1981, the VDPs became less prominent, but its role in local development was re-emphasized as part of President Hussain Muhammad Ershad's decentralisation policy. In 1988, the total numbers participating in VDPs across the nation stood at 10 million.
Organisation
The current strength of the Village Defence Parties is 5.6 million, of whom 50 percent are women. Each VDP unit is uniquely organised with equal numbers of men and women. For every village, there is one platoonPlatoon
A platoon is a military unit typically composed of two to four sections or squads and containing 16 to 50 soldiers. Platoons are organized into a company, which typically consists of three, four or five platoons. A platoon is typically the smallest military unit led by a commissioned officer—the...
of men and a platoon of women. Similarly, there is one platoon of men and another of women in every ward of metropolitan
Metropolis
A metropolis is a very large city or urban area which is a significant economic, political and cultural center for a country or region, and an important hub for regional or international connections and communications...
cities in Bangladesh. At union level command channel, there is one male and one female Union Leader in each Union. The director general of the Bangladesh Ansar
Bangladesh Ansar
The Bangladesh Ansar is a disciplined force for the preservation of internal security and law enforcement in Bangladesh. It is administered by the Home Ministry of the Government of Bangladesh...
is also the chief of the Village Defence Party. The post is currently held by Major General
Major General
Major general or major-general is a military rank used in many countries. It is derived from the older rank of sergeant major general. A major general is a high-ranking officer, normally subordinate to the rank of lieutenant general and senior to the ranks of brigadier and brigadier general...
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy
Chowdhury Hasan Sarwardy is a Bangladeshi military officer who is the current director general of the Bangladesh Ansars paramilitary and the Village Defence Party system. He was formerly the director of military intelligence of the Bangladeshi Army. He holds the rank of major general.-References:...
, a former director of military intelligence with the Bangladeshi army.