Col J P Singh
Village Defence Committees (VDCs) came into being for ‘self defence’ and supplementing the efforts of security forces (SFs) in combating militancy in J&K during its peak period of 1990s. They played a crucial role in fighting terrorism in remote and border areas of J&K, particularly in Jammu region wherever density of SFs was thinner. Despite sophisticated weapons with militants, the VDC members faced them with obsolete weapons such as .303 of WW II vintage. Allegations of human rights violations by the VDC members are also heard once a while. But the fact that they have proved to be useful in fighting militancy, they must be strengthened and modernized for optimum output. After the brutal murder of senior BJP leaders Anil Parihar and Ajeet Parihar in Kishtwar by the terrorists, necessity of their employment in threatened areas should have been reviewed and taken seriously. Instead orders were issued from the Police Headquarters to disarm them. Such like incidents, wanton killings and disregard to human life by denying them existing mechanisms of self defence raise serious questions regarding safety and security of common man and intentions of the Government.
Security situation in J&K continues to be grave. Despite that police authorities move to disarm VDCs from terror prone areas will scare the peace loving people which can cause their migration to safer places. Hence disarming the VDCs, if initiated, must be stopped and decision reconsidered. Dr Jitendra Singh, MoS in PMO has also represented before the Governor to reconsider the decision of disarming them. Common man also feels that VDCs must be strengthened.
Kishtwar incident is a major setback to the Government in its drive against terror. It should have made the state govt wiser and more concerned about public safety and security. Instead it has shown utter disregard to it. Asking under threat people to deposit their weapons amounts to making them sacrificial goats. Once disarmed, VDC members will be the main targets of the militants. There are allegations that vested interests are influencing govt decisions and attempting to create 1990s like situation in erstwhile Doda district and the Police move to disarm VDC members fits into such narrative. Nation has seen the demographic invasion of Jammu region orchestrated by those wanting to make J&K an Islamic state. Necessary precautions and timely actions are crucial to the safety and security of vulnerable areas.
In the prevailing security scenario, the Kashmir Valley, the district of Doda as well as hilly regions of Kathua and Udhampur districts are affected by militant activities which are supported from across the border. In addition to this, frequent trans-border movement is taking place in the plain areas, especially between River Ravi and Munawar Tawi where the LoC runs closer to the National Highway which are thickly populated. Incidents and acts of sabotage in this border belt, especially targeting the infrastructural facilities along Highway cannot be ruled out. There is, therefore, a need to continue with the time tested experiment of VDCs.
The active participation of the local population in the security of their villages as well as important installations in the vicinity, was successfully tried during 1965 Indo-Pak war. In June – July 1965, Gen Ayub Khan infiltrated large number of saboteurs to foment popular uprising in pro-Pak Muslim areas and to create mayhem in majority Hindu areas for the success of his impending attacks in J&K. Lot of infiltrators were inducted in Akhnoor and Jammu region because their main armed attacks were aimed at cutting off National Highway between Pathankot and Jammu and to cut off Jammu-Poonch Highway at Akhnoor. Since the infiltrators melted into villages and started their nefarious activities, it indeed caused mayhem in the border villages thereby abetting migration. Hence the govt raised VDCs to apprehend infiltrators and for their self defence which would check migration. They did a commendable job due to which Pak invasion of 1965 to cut off J&K from mainland India at Jammu miserably failed. Self and brother were one such rank and file in our area defence committee. We were given 303 Rifles & ammunition. Our seniors were Ex-Servicemen. We used to be split in smaller groups and given routes by seniors for night patrolling. We used to walk in stealth and look for hidden infiltrators in maize crop fields. In one incident 3/4 hiding infiltrators were apprehended and handed over to army after which our village remained safe. Since I was looking for a career, I left but my brother continued long which seems to have helped him later in raising ‘Tanda Tiger Force’ of about 3000 volunteer youth for Kargil War and get an army award.
SFs have always drawn upon local support in the performance of their duties whether they are operational or civic actions. VDCs would therefore be eyes and ears of the SFs because of their familiarity of the area and the access to local intelligence and hence great asset to the govt. Therefore the Governor led Government should review their experiment with VDCs rather than disarming them. Rashtriya Rifles is currently training 100 youth for 40 days in Doda for army enrolment. Those who miss out on enrolment can be enrolled in the VDCS. Ex-Servicemen can train and lead VDCs which can also act as second line of defence in 1965 type future scenario.
The aim of the VDC scheme should be to organize safety and security of threatened villages by the villagers and to check the trans-border movement through such smaller groups of armed volunteers. The district wise requirement can be determined by the DCs and SSPs in consultation with army units. Core of the Scheme would comprise of a Committee of 10 armed civilians in each village under the command of a retired JCO/NCO. Each person should be issued with a AK 47 / SLR Rifles, 100 rounds of ammunition, clothing and given powers of Special Police Officer (SPO). They should be paid an honorarium of Rs 5,000 per month. They should function under the directions of Sarpanches but be under the command and control of SDM / Tehsildar.
Self defence is the best form of defense. VDCs will supplement the ongoing efforts of SFs in dealing with the militancy, acts of subversion / terror and trans-border movements. Above all, it will be a manifestation of the will of the people to actively participate in the efforts to thwart the threat being posed to the national security and integrity from within and outside.
Willingness and motivation of VDC members would however be of utmost importance. In the ultimate analysis, the success of this scheme would depend on the motivation of the people who would form these committees.
It is high time for the govt to be genuinely concerned about the safety and security of vulnerable areas and vulnerable sections of the society. The VDCs are already in place in such areas. They should be issued sophisticated weapons, strengthened and trained to use them effectively. Ex-Servicemen are available everywhere and they are trained resource with the govt. They are the best personnel to provide safety and security to the locals of the vulnerable areas. This trained and readily available manpower should be utilized in whatever manner they can best be used.
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