VDGs seek modernized weapons
Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 29: Security forces continued massive search operations in forests and general area of Basantgarh in Udhampur district to eliminate the terrorists involved in the killing of a Village Defence Guard (VDC) in an encounter yesterday. However, no fresh contact has been established with the terrorists.
Police and paramilitary forces joined by the Army have launched searches deep inside the forests for two groups of terrorists, believed to be the foreigners but they remained untraced since yesterday morning when the VDGs engaged them in a brief gun battle in which one of them was martyred. The terrorists are on the run since then.
“The operation is on and there was no fresh contact with the fleeing terrorists. Additional forces have moved in this morning to intensify the efforts to track down and neutralise the terrorists,” a police official said.
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The Police and VDGs fanned out in the forest area late Saturday evening after information about movement of terrorists.
Village Defence Guards (VDGs), mostly armed with .303 rifles and bolt action rifles, are highly determined to safeguard their villages from the threat posed by Pakistan-sponsored terrorism but, at the same time, want the Government to equip them with automatic weapons along with enhanced remuneration to take on terrorists effectively.
The VDGs came under focus when one of its members Mohd Sharief was martyred in a gunfight with terrorists in Panara village of Basantgarh yesterday morning. The encounter took place in the area, once a hot-bed of terrorism, after a long gap of over 17 years.
“Government provided us with weapons to defend our villages from the enemy forces. We want the Government to equip us with automatic weapons so that we can take on the terrorists effectively,” VDG Gul Mohammad said.
Attending the last rites of his colleague in Lower Panara village on Monday, he said they have always stood shoulder-to-shoulder with the security forces to ensure that the area remains free of terrorism.
“One of our brothers laid down his life and his sacrifice will not go waste. We will avenge his killing and are alert,” he said.
Abdul Hameed, another VDG member, said the Government has notified a new scheme for them about two years ago but “some of us are still not getting our dues. The Government should look into it and ensure that all the VDG members are paid their remuneration on time besides increasing the allowances.”
Pawan Kumar also demanded equipping the VDGs with automatic weapons to take on the terrorists effectively.
“We are ready and will not allow them to settle down,” he said.
Saifuddin, a former Sarpanch of Panara village, supported the demand for automatic weapons and enhanced wages for VDGs and said when terrorism spread its tentacles to the village in 1990, several unemployed youth of the area were lured into militancy by vested interests.
“We supported police and other security agencies in clearing the area of terrorism. The last encounter took place here in 2007,” he said.
Lauding the bravery of Sharief, he said the VDGs are carrying .303 rifles which takes five minutes to load, while the terrorists are armed with small automatic weapons and can empty a full magazine within a few minutes.
He said there are four police posts which need to be strengthened with manpower. “Our youth are brave and are ready to join the forces. Some of the VDGs have attained the age of 60 years and they want their sons to replace them”.
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