Village Defence Force for self-defense in Manipur

Imphal, March 12 (ANI): Thousands of youth turned up for recruitment rally in three districts of Thoubal, Imphal West, Imphal East and Bishnupur recently following a State Cabinet decision in Manipur to establish Village Defence Force (VDF) to protect villages from militants.

Villagers were quite enthusiastic on the organization of such a recruitment rally here. Youngsters coming to join the VDF responded despite threats of underground groups against joining the force.

"This step taken up by the Government is a good one. With the village Defence Force being set up, the villages can be protected from outsiders who terrorize us and we can also defend ourselves," said Salman Khan, a hopeful at the rally. I am ready to sacrifice my life fighting them to protect our motherland. From my early childhood, I wanted to serve the country by joining the armed forces. There is turmoil in the state, I want to bring about a change by bringing in normalcy," said H. Govinda Singh, anther hopeful at the rally. bout 3,000 youths turned up in Thoubal, 1,000 in Imphal West and 800 at Bishnupur district. There were 1,550 VDF personnel to be selected for the four valley districts of Manipur.

"Government has taken the decision, as policy decision that we need to augment the number of police personnel at the present situation because law and order situation in Manipur is not in a very good shape. So the government has a decision and in the four valley district, they have given direction to recruit village Defence forces to act and assist police department," said Th. adheshyam Singh, Superintendent of Police, Imphal East

The VDF personnel would be given basic police training for a month after which they would be deployed along with the regular police personnel at the police stations and outposts.

An honorarium of Rs.3000 would be paid to them along with ration facilities. (ANI)