Disbanding village defence committees at this stage not feasible: J&K govt

Srinagar: Jammu and Kashmir government said on Wednesday that it was not feasible at this stage to disband the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), but their role is reviewed periodically and it would be lessened once the situation improves. Given the security situation in the state and the role played by the VDCs, it may not be feasible to wind these up at this stage, the Minister for Roads and Buildings and Parliamentary Affairs, Abdul Rehman Veeri, told Legislative Council. The minister was replying to a question of opposition National Conference (NC) MLC Bashir Ahmad Veeri during the Question Hour in the House. [caption id=“attachment_2863132” align=“alignleft” width=“380”]  Representational image. AFP[/caption] The NC legislator wanted to know whether the government had any plans to disband the VDCs. The minister said the role of the VDCs is reviewed every six months and it would be lessened once the situation improves. He said 4,125 VDCs are existing in the state and their objective is to ensure safety and security of the identified villages along the borders as well as in interior areas, infrastructural installations in and around them. Their role is also to supplement the ongoing efforts of the security forces and police to deal with militancy, acts of subversion and trans-border movements, the minister said. He said a total of 14 militants have been caught or killed by the VDCs in Jammu region of the state. The legislator said since the VDCs had no role to play now as the situation has improved and the government has admitted it, they should be disbanded. He also said there were many complaints against these VDCs but the government was not acting against them. However, the minister said whenever there is a complaint against any member of such committees, the government inquires into the matter and takes action. The minister’s reply, however, did not satisfy the opposition legislator and he staged a walkout from the House.