Early Times Report
Jammu, June 25: The Village Defence Guards (VDGs) will be equipped with modern weapons to foil the nefarious designs of the terrorists in Jammu province.
Sources said that the government has decided to equip VDGs with advanced weapons and their remuneration will be increased. This decision was taken after the recent terror attacks in the Basantgarh area of Udhampur district and Saida Sohail village of Hirnagar tehsil in Kathua district earlier this month.
On April 28, a member of the Village Defence Committee (VDC) guard was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote village in Udhampur district of Jammu and Kashmir.
VDG member Mohammad Sharief, a resident of Khaned, was critically injured in the firing and later succumbed to injuries.
Similarly, during the Hiranagar terror attack, villagers fought the terrorists bravely with their weapons.
Sources said that after these attacks authorities realized the strengthening of the VDGs to frustrate the nefarious designs of terror mentors sitting across the border to revive terrorism in peaceful areas of Jammu province.
Reports said that th The Govt has decided to equip VDGs with advanced weapons and their remuneration will be increased.
On April 28, a VDG member was killed in a gunfight with terrorists in a remote village in Udhampur district.
During the Hiranagar terror attack, villagers fought the terrorists bravely with their weapons.
The Govt is planning to replace the outdated .303 rifles with modern Self Loading Rifles (SLRs).
All VDGs will now receive a monthly honorarium. The Union Home Ministry will cover the entire cost under the Security Related Expenditure (SRE) of Jammu and Kashmir. Previously, 4985 VDGs were sanctioned, with 4153 actively serving. This number is rising due to increased security efforts in areas like Udhampur, Doda, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch.
The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA), in consultation with the Jammu and Kashmir Government, has decided that group leaders will receive Rs 4500, and other members will receive Rs 4000 per month. These payments will be directly deposited into their bank accounts.
Recognizing the challenge posed by terrorists armed with M4 Carbines and assault rifles, the Jammu and Kashmir Government and BJP leaders prioritize the gradual modernization of VDGs’ weaponry. Some VDGs have already received SLRs, and others will follow suit in phases. | 