BJP today welcomed the decision of the Mehbooba Mufti government not to disband the village defence committees, saying they have done a remarkable job in fighting terrorism in far-flung areas of the state.
"The government's unambiguous announcement has set to rest many rumours being spread by the vested interests about the future of VDCs.
"VDCs did yeoman service at the peak of militancy in the far-flung areas. Even now when the separatists and fundamentalist forces are raising their head again, they have a very important role to play," BJP state spokesman Brig (retd) Anil Gupta said.
He said some forces inimical to VDCs have been spreading canards against them by accusing them of human rights' violation and misusing the weapons allotted to their members.
"These forces are working at the behest of separatists and anti-national forces to further the cause of militancy and demoralise the members of VDCs," he said.
The BJP leader appealed to the government to immediately increase the renumeration of the VDC members to Rs 6000, funds for which have already been sanctioned by the Prime Minister in his package.
