JK govt secretly reducing VDCs in the state: JKNPP

Jammu and Kashmir National Panthers Party (JKNPP) today accused the state government of secretly reducing the Village Defence Committees (VDCs), which could result in "total collapse" of security operations in various parts of the state.
JKNPP Chairman and MLA Harshdev Singh also criticised the separatists and other political groups for spreading "canards and half truths" about the VDCs and dismissed their demand to disband the groups, saying any such attempt could have dangerous consequences.
"The separatists and other groups are raising hue and cry over the role and relevance of VDCs and seeking their disbanding. These groups are spreading canards and half truths about the VDCs and their functioning," Singh said in a statement here.

Last week Principal Secretary (Home) Suresh Kumar told reporters that Jammu and Kashmir government had ruled out any plans of disbanding VDCs in the state.
However, Singh alleged that during the last three years over 1,000 volunteers of VDCs have been removed in Udhampur, Doda, Kathua, Rajouri which was highly reprehensible and sought re-deployment of the committee in such areas.
Cautioning the state government against undermining the role of VDCs, Singh said around 28,865 volunteers of VDCs were discharging their duties in various parts of the state for security operations.
He said that disbanding the same, as demanded by separatist forces, could result in total collapse of security operations particularly at the present juncture when threats from across the border had become more pronounced.

The JKNPP chief hailed the role of VDCs in countering insurgency operations and said these have significantly contributed to safety and security of hilly and remote areas of the state.