Support VDPs: Lapang to traditional bodies

Shillong, Sep 8: Meghalaya Chief Minister D D Lapang has urged the traditional village dorbars to extend their support towards forming Village Defence Party (VDP) units in villages across the state.

Addressing the first rally of the United Village Defence Parties (UVDP) at Smit village yesterday, Mr Lapang said the VDP was a unique institution, manifesting community participation, which helped people participate in issues related to maintenance of law and order.

Mr Lapang said the VDPs, while assisting the Police department in ensuring law and order in their respective villages, needed to maintain strict discipline among themselves and their actions should be exemplary.

He lauded the East Khasi Hills VDPs for constituting the UVDP adding that it should be followed by other districts of the state.

Urging the village dorbars to help form VDP units in their villages, Mr Lapang said the government would make all efforts to support the VDPs in different ways to improve their functioning.

The UVDP rally was attended by VDP representatives from all the 376 villages of East Khasi Hills district. It was aimed at putting in concerted efforts to root out social evils in the state.

UNI