The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) gives a nod to the formation of Village Defence Groups (VDGs) in Jammu and Kashmir. The members of the Village Defence Groups will be designated as Village Defence Guards (VDGs) and will function under the direction of the SP/SSP of the concerned district. Welcoming the decision, the J&K BJP has urged the Union government to arm them the group with modern weapons. Photo : Times Now DigitalKEY HIGHLIGHTS
New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry has given its nod to the Jammu and Kashmir administration to form village defence groups (VDGs) in the Union Territory. The VDGs were earlier known as village defence committees (VDCs). In its letter titled ‘Revised Scheme of Village Defence Groups (VDGs) in J&K’, the MHA said that areas which are more vulnerable, people leading the village defence groups will be paid Rs 4,500 per month each while other volunteers will receive Rs 4,000 per month each. The VDGs will function under the direction of the SP/SSP of the concerned district, the MHA said and added that the revised scheme will come into force only after appraising the High Court. The VDGs were earlier known as village defence committees (VDCs).Related NewsJammu and Kashmir Delimitation Commission worked in BJP’s favour: Farooq AbdullahGhulam Nabi Azad’s nephew Mubashir Azad joins BJP, says ‘hurt by Congress’ disrespect to his uncle’ Meanwhile, the Jammu and Kashmir BJP said the revival of village defence committees (VDCs) as village defence groups (VDGs) will not only ensure their financial empowerment but would also boost the security grid in the Union territory. The saffron party has also urged the Union government to arm the VDGs with modern weapons so that they can give a befitting reply to terrorists in mountainous and remote areas. “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 told reporters here. Sharma further said there was a time when terrorism was at its peak and innocent people were being killed mercilessly and people from hilly and far-flung areas were migrating to safer places. “BJP leaders, particularly Atal Bihari Vajpayee and L K Advani, launched the ‘Doda Bachao Andolan’ and raised their voice for the constitution of VDCs in 1990s. Their struggle culminated in setting up of VDCs in all the 10 districts of Jammu province with arms to counter terrorism,” the former minister added. He also claimed that a terrorist in an interview had said that he was most scared of the VDCs.Union Home Minister Amit Shah