Sanjeev Pargal
JAMMU, Sept 30: The Village Defence Committees (VDCs), which had been facing criticism from some anti-national elements at the behest of militant outfits after August 9 violence in Kishtwar, have come to the rescue of police in Hiranagar sector of Kathua district after September 26 terror attacks at Hiranagar police station and Mehsar Army camp in Samba district.
Fifty VDCs comprising about 300 to 350 personnel, which were almost forgotten by the police, have once again been activated and deployed along all possible infiltration routes leading from Hiranagar sector to Jammu-Pathankote National Highway. As a precautionary measure, police authorities have also deployed two police constables with each VDC to ensure that in case of an encounter with the militants the latter didn’t manage to escape.
Official sources confirmed to the Excelsior that 50 VDCs (21 paid and 29 unpaid) existed in Hiranagar sector but they were not being used for anti-infiltration or anti-militancy purposes for which they had been constituted as both infiltration and militancy had come to a naught in Samba and Kathua districts.
The last infiltration in Hiranagar was reported in 2010 when two militants after sneaking in had taken the village route to reach Punjab, bordering Kathua, where they were killed while last successful attack by the militants (after the infiltration) had been reported in May 2008 in Samba sector.
During past few months, police had deployed some of the VDCs in the villages, where the people had reported movement of mysterious thieves.
Sources said police authorities had called all members of 50 VDCs in Hiranagar sector and re-activated them for the purpose of checking infiltration of militants from the International Border. Top police officers have spent last two days in re-activating the VDCs and assigning them the routes, where they would be deployed for patrolling and checking.
The routes assigned to the VDCs included, which led from the International Border of Hiranagar to Jammu-Pathankote National Highway and other important installations in the areas.
“We have a total of 300 to 350 VDC members including paid and non-paid, all of whom were called by top police officers and given adequate briefing and routes, which they would man. Number of the VDCs was presently sufficient to man the infiltration routes but if need arises, we would have more VDCs,’’ sources said.
They added that every VDC would be equipped with two constables each from the concerned police station and police posts. The VDC would man the infiltration routes in the hinterland throughout the night and, if required, during the day time.
They added that the VDCs including which were not paid have agreed to fully cooperate with the police authorities in maintaining vigil along the routes, which the militants could take if they managed to infiltrate from the International Border in Hiranagar sector like September 26.
Sources said police have assured the unpaid VDCs that their demand for payment would be taken up with concerned authorities through proper channel.
As reported, three fidayeens from Pakistani had infiltrated into the Indian side from International Border of Hiranagar sector on the intervening night of September 25 and 26 and attacked Hiranagar police station and Mehsar Army camp in Samba killing four Army soldiers, four police personnel and two civilians before being eliminate by the Army in their camp.
Home Secy to hold inquiry
Five days after three fidayeens struck at Hiranagar and Samba killing 10 persons including eight security personnel, the State Government today ordered a high level inquiry into preparedness and response of police and other security agencies before and during the attack.
Excelsior had exclusively reported the lapses in which inquiry has been ordered.
Official sources said Principal Secretary, Home Suresh Kumar has been appointed as the Inquiry Officer. He has been asked to submit his report to the Government within two months.
Mr Kumar has been asked to inquiry into preparedness and response of police and other security agencies before attack by the militants at Hiranagar police station in Kathua district and Army camp at Samba, response of police during the attack at police station Hiranagar and nature of deployment on the roads taken by the militants from Hiranagar to Samba.
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