Ishfaq-Ul-Hassan
SRINAGAR | A major political storm has hit Jammu and Kashmir after the Centre revived Village Defence Groups, a private militia, to take on the militants in “vulnerable areas”.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has issued an order for forming Village Defence Groups (VDGs) in Jammu and Kashmir.
The members of the Village Defence Groups have been designated as Village Defence Guards (VDGs). They will function under the direction of the SP/SSP of the concerned district.
In a letter addressed to the J&K Chief Secretary, the MHA mentioned that the member of the Village Defence Group shall be designated at Village Defence Guard.
Moreover, persons, who shall be leading or coordinating with the VDGs would be paid Rs.4,500 per month, while other persons who are members of the VDGs on a voluntary basis would be paid Rs.4,000 per month.
MHA said the revised scheme will come into force only after appraising the High Court. VDGs were earlier known as Village Defence Committees (VDCs).
In 1995, Village Defence Committees were constituted in 10 districts of the Jammu region to assist the forces in counter-terrorism operations. Later many VDC were disbanded by successive governments following complaints of human rights violations and misuse of weapons.
The Centre’s decision has created a political storm in Kashmir. Leading the chorus is former chief minister Mehbooba Mufti. “MHAs move to form Village Defence Committees across J&K is another addition to a slew of decisions that contradict GOIs much-touted normalcy claims. Clearly, J&K is far from any semblance of normalcy. It will also create a wedge between communities,” she tweeted.
Describing the plan as alarming, CPI (M) leader Mohamad Yousuf Tarigami said that the move is bound to prove counter-productive.
“These committees have faced accusations of gross abuses in J&K in the recent past. Reportedly J&K police have filed around 200 cases against VDC members for rape and murder etc. Their role is shadowed by their involvement in rampant human rights abuses,” he said.
Tarigami said when J&K especially Kashmir has been put under unprecedented restrictions, including on civil society and media, the move is bound to create a wedge between communities and contradicts tall claims of normalcy in the region.
BJP however welcomed the move saying the VDGs will not only ensure their financial empowerment but would also boost the security grid in the Union territory.
“The revival of VDCs by renaming them VDGs and considering other genuine demands, including financial empowerment, will boost Jammu and Kashmir’s security grid,” state BJP general secretary Sunil Sharma.
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