Excelsior Correspondent
KATHUA, Aug 7: Asserting that Village Defense Committee (VDC) members played a major role along with security forces in curbing terrorism, Bharatiya Janata Party (BJP) State general secretary and MLA Kathua, Rajiv Jasrotia today demanded strengthening of the VDCs in remote areas of the State as well as establishing of VDCs in all border villages of the Jammu region to check the sneaking of terrorists from across and act as a support base to BSF guarding the borders.
As the number of VDCs is declining day by day in the remote and mountainous areas of the region like Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Reasi, Rajouri, there is an urgent need to re-constitute the VDCs to strengthen them. Mr Jasrotia said, adding it was only because of the cooperation of the VDCs that the security forces succeeded in countering militancy in these belts as they acted as ”ears and eyes of the force.” So Government should induct fresh VDCs equipped with weapons to fight terrorism.
He lambasted all those who in past have raised hue and cry over the role and relevance of VDCs and seeking their disbanding. In a statement issued, Jasrotia hailed VDCs for the highly commendable role played by them in countering the insurgency operations since their constitution. He said they have contributed significantly in ensuring an environment of safety and security particularly in hilly and remote areas of the State.