Excelsior Correspondent
SRINAGAR, June 17: Government today said it has no plans to disband the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in view of the security situation obtaining in the State.
The Government in a written reply to a question asked by National Conference MLA Ali Mohammad Sagar in the Legislative Assembly stated that keeping in view the security situation obtaining in the State and the role played by VDCs, there is no proposal to disband them. “When any VDC member is found involved in any kind of criminal act, he is immediately disengaged and appropriate action as warranted under law is initiated against him,” the Minister stated.
The Government said there were 221 cases registered against VDC members including 23 cases of murder, seven cases of rape and 15 cases of rioting. “Three cases were not admitted by the courts while two were declared “untraced”. In 205 cases, chargesheet has been filed before the competent court of law while seven cases are “under investigation”, the Government said.
While 37 cases were settled through compromise, 42 VDC members were acquitted of the charges by the courts. Only five members were convicted, it added. “However, it may be emphasised that as and when, any VDC member is found involved in any act of misuse of his allotted weapon, he is immediately disengaged and appropriate action as warranted under law is initiated against him,” the Government said.
It said directions have been issued to the concerned District Superintendents of Police to initiate action against such VDC members and ensure the allotted weapons are withdrawn.
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