J&K govt rules out disbanding of VDCs

Jammu and Kashmir government today ruled out disbanding of Village Defence Committees saying they have played a major role in stamping out militancy and defending population in the remote and rural areas of the state.
"These (disbanding of Village Defence Committees (VDCs)) are irrelevant demands. If a Army jawan or a police man does something bad, will Army and Police be disbanded," Deputy Chief Minister Dr Nirmal Singh told reporters at a function here today.
He was replying to a question about a demand by National Conference and some separatist leaders to disband the VDCs in Jammu and Kashmir following killing of a NC leader by a VDC member in Rajouri district.

"VDCs have played a big role (in stamping out militancy and defending population in the remote and rural areas of the state)," he said.
There have been some incidents by some VDC members and police is looking into it, he said, adding that law will take its course.
A VDC member Mushtaq Ahmed had yesterday shot dead Shamima Akhter and her three-year-old son Tohid from his rifle in village Samote of Budhal tehsil in Rajouri district.
On December 19, another VDC member Kewal Sharma had allegedly shot dead a National Conference (NC) leader Ishtiyaq Ahmed over some altercation in Potha village of Kalakote tehsil in Rajouri district.

The opposition parties, including NC and some separatists have called for disbanding of VDCs in the past.