| Time to strengthen VDCs, eliminate scourge of terrorism | | Message from Kishtwar | | II Stark Reality II
Rustam
JAMMU, Aug 13: The message from the militant and separatist-infested Kishtwar is clear. The message is that the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), which were created in the 1990s to counter, defeat and eliminate terrorists and protect the minority community, must be strengthened and provided with sophisticated weapons so that they are able to discharge the responsibility they were required to perform.
The credit for creating the VDCs goes to the Congress, which rose to the occasion and did what was required to defeat the militants' and separatists onslaught. It is the fundamental duty of the Congress to take on those, including NC leader and Jammu & Kashmir Chief Minister Omar Abdullah, who have been opposing the institution of the VDCs overlooking their splendid role and contribution. The separatists just can't be allowed to promote their seditious agenda in Kishtwar, Doda, Ramban and other districts.
The duty of the Congress to ensure that the VDCs are not disbanded or disarmed has become all the more fundamental following what Omar Abdullah on Monday told IBN7 during the interview with Ashutosh at 8 pm. When asked to explain his stand on the VDCs, Omar Abdullah said that, yes, questions are being raised against the VDCs and their role and that the judicial commission he has set up will look into this issue and suggest if the VDCs are to be maintained or not. At the same time, he said he would not explain further his stand, as there was the possibility of opposition parties, especially the BJP, to politicize and communalise the issue. He did not name the BJP, but accused its leadership of politicizing the Kishtwar issue.
The fact of the matter is that Omar Abdullah expressed himself against the VDCs and practically spoke the language of Geelani, Mirwaiz, Malik and other Kashmir-based outfits, including the so-called mainstream. It needs to be underlined that the Kashmiri separatists and "mainstream" parties in Kashmir have been demanding the disbanding of the VDCs since long saying they have been misusing the guns and terrorizing the majority community. Now that the Chief Minister himself has indirectly questioned the role of the VDCs, it is time not only for the Congress but also for the BJP and similar other organizations to work together against those demanding the disbanding of the VDCs. This is the need of the time. |
|
