Village Defence Guards in Jammu Equipped with Sophisticated Weapons to Combat Terrorism
04-08-2024
01:15 PM
1 min read
What’s in today’s article?
- Why in News?
- Militancy on the rise in Jammu
- Village Defence Guards (VDGs)
Why in News?
- Recently, Union Minister Jitendra Singh announced that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the Jammu region have been equipped with sophisticated weapons to address rising terror incidents.
- Representing the Udhampur constituency, which has seen increased terror activities since 2021, he was speaking at the “Empowering Youth for Viksit Bharat” program in Kathua district.
- He emphasized breaking the nexus between terrorists and drug dealers and noted that defense forces and law enforcement agencies have updated their strategies to combat terrorism more effectively.
Militancy on the rise in Jammu
- New pattern emerging
- Districts such as Doda, Kishtwar, Ramban, Kathua, Udhampur, Reasi, Rajouri, and Poonch have seen a resurgence in militant activity.
- While the Kashmir Valley has historically experienced frequent terror incidents, the Jammu belt has been relatively peaceful for the past two decades.
- This revival of militancy in an area that was a hotbed in the late 1990s and early 2000s has alarmed the security establishment.
- Statistics
- Since 2021, the Jammu region has experienced 31 terror incidents, resulting in the deaths of 47 security forces and 19 civilians, along with 48 terrorists killed.
- In contrast, the Kashmir Valley has reported 263 terror incidents, with 68 security forces and 75 civilians killed, and 417 terrorists neutralized.
- While the number of incidents in Jammu is significantly lower than in the Valley, the increased frequency and targeted nature of attacks on pilgrims and security forces in Jammu are particularly concerning.
Village Defence Guards (VDGs)
- Background
- The militancy that began in Kashmir in the early 1990s had spread to the adjoining Doda district by mid 1990s.
- The demand for arming the civilian population first rose after the massacre of 13 people in Kishtwar in 1993.
- As the killings increased, prompting the migration of Hindus from villages to nearby towns, the Home Ministry in 1995 decided to set up the VDCs.
- About
- VDGs, formerly known as Village Defence Committees (VDCs), are community-based security groups established in the Jammu and Kashmir region.
- Initiated in 1995, the program was aimed at providing local defense against terrorist activities, especially targeting vulnerable communities.
- Purpose
- The primary purpose of VDGs is to enhance local security by providing immediate defense against terrorist threats.
- They play a crucial role in supporting formal law enforcement agencies, gathering intelligence, and maintaining peace in their respective areas.
- Composition
- Law enforcement agencies will form groups of armed civilians from the "more vulnerable areas."
- Each group will have no more than 15 members and will be designated as Village Defence Guards (VDGs).
- Members are typically volunteers from the community, including ex-servicemen, able-bodied youth, and other civilians who undergo basic training in self-defense and weapon handling.
- Control
- The VDGs will function under the direction of the SP/SSP of the district concerned.
- Key Functions
- Surveillance and Patrolling: VDGs conduct regular patrols and monitor suspicious activities, acting as the first line of defense against terrorist infiltrations.
- Intelligence Gathering: They collect and share vital information with security forces, aiding in preemptive actions against potential threats.
- Community Mobilization: By involving local residents, VDGs foster a sense of responsibility and vigilance within the community.
- Contribution of VDCs in the past
- During the peak of militancy in most parts of Jammu division, the VDCs played a significant role in combating militancy.
- They were the most-feared armed groups among militants in areas where poor road networks delayed the arrival of security forces.
- The villagers, well-versed with the local topography, averted many militant attacks and helped in their capture and killings.
- Challenges
- Resource Constraints: VDGs often face limitations in terms of financial and logistical support, affecting their operational efficiency.
- Security Risks: Members of VDGs are at a high risk of being targeted by terrorists due to their active role in local defense.
- Accountability Issues: There have been past allegations of misuse of power by VDG members, including crimes such as abduction and rape, which led to a temporary discontinuation of the program.
- Current status
- The VDGs are being revived and strengthened since 2022 in response to the rising incidents of terror in the Jammu region.
- Recent initiatives have included the provision of sophisticated weapons and enhanced training to better equip these groups to handle the evolving security challenges.
Q.1. What is narco-terrorism?
Narco-terrorism refers to the use of drug trafficking by terrorist organizations to fund their activities, spread fear, and destabilize regions. It involves the intersection of illegal drug trade and terrorism, where profits from drug sales support terrorist operations, and sometimes, terrorist groups protect or control drug production and distribution networks.
Q.2. Where is Kasmir Valley located?
The Kashmir Valley is situated in the northern region of the Indian subcontinent, within the union territory of Jammu and Kashmir. It lies between the Pir Panjal and the Himalayas ranges, extending from the southwest to the northeast.
Source: Village Defence Guards provided with sophisticated weapons: Union Minister Jitendra Singh