| 4,112 VDCs engaged to thwart militancy | | Govt rules out disbanding VDCs | |
Early Times Report
SRINAGAR, Oct 1: Government has made it clear that there is no plan to disband Village Defence Committees (VDC's) formed in different districts of Jammu Division.
In a written reply to queries raised by MLA People's Democratic Party, Choudhri Zulifqar Ali, Government has said that, "given the security situation in the State and the role played by VDC's, it may not be advisable to disband them at this stage."
However, Home Ministry has admitted that some VDC members have been found guilty of misusing their weapons allotted to them by the Government. "49 complaints have been received till date regarding misuse of weapons by the VDC members. In this regard cases have been registered."
Doda figures top in all Jammu districts where 15 cases have been registered against VDC members for misusing their weapons. Cases registered relating to misuse of weapons by VDC members stand registered in Ramban, Udhampur, Doda, Reasi and Rajouri districts.
Home Ministry in its written reply mentioned that one VDC member from District Udhampur, Hem Raj son of Devi Chand Thakur resident of Sia Meri, Ramnagar was sentenced with life imprisonment. The accused had misused his weapon and fired upon his son resulting in his on spot death.
Largest number of Village Defence Committees are found in district Doda (864) followed by Rajouri (683), Reasi (626), Kishtwar (401), Ramban (367), Udhampur (331), Kathua (305), Samba (202), Jammu (195) and Poonch (126). The number of VDC's in Kargil is 7 while there are 5 VDC's in district Leh.
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