Revival of Village Defence Committees

• 18 Jan 2023

Why in News?

Lieutenant Governor of the Jammu and Kashmir declared to revive Village Defence Committees (VDC) amid recent militant attacks.

What are Village Defence Committees (VDC)?

• About:
  • The VDC were set up in the mid - 1990s as a force multiplier against militant attacks.
  • Its aim was to provide residents of remote hilly villages with weapons and give them arms training to defend themselves.
• Need to Setup VDCs:
  • The militancy that began in Kashmir in the early 1990s had spread to the adjoining Doda district by mid 1990s.
    • The demand for arming the civilian population first rose after the massacre of 13 people in Kishtwar in 1993.
  • The Home Ministry in 1995 decided to set up the VDCs. Later, the scheme was expanded to other areas of the Jammu division as militants extended their activities to Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua and Samba districts.
• Contribution:
  • During the peak of militancy in most parts of Jammu division, especially areas falling in Chenab Valley and Pir Panjal regions, the hills of Udhampur, and Reasi and Kathua districts, the VDCs played a significant role in combating militancy.
    • They were the most-feared armed groups among militants in areas where poor road networks delayed the arrival of security forces.
  • The villagers, well-versed with the local topography, averted many militant attacks and helped in their capture and killings.
• Issues Associated:
  • Along with the successes, the VDCs also faced allegations of human rights violations and other crimes, including murder, rape and extortions.
• Recent Developments:
  • The VDCs have now been renamed as Village Defence Guards (VDG). The new scheme to set up VDGs in vulnerable areas of J&K was approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in March 2022.
  • The VDGs will function under the direction of the Senior superintendent of police (SSP)/superintendent of police (SP) of the district concerned.
  • Similarities and Differences in VDC and VDG:
    • Similarity: Like a VDC member, each VDG will be provided a gun and 100 rounds of ammunition.
    • Difference: Under the new scheme, the persons leading the VDGs will be paid Rs 4,500 per month by the government, while others will get Rs 4,000 each.
      • In the VDCs, only the Special Police Officers (SPOs) leading them were provided a remuneration of Rs 1,500 monthly.

Source: IE