Excelsior Correspondent
RAMBAN, Apr 25:Expressing their total solidarity with members of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs), BJP today warned to organize protest dharnas at Mandal level in
Doda,Ramban,Kishtwar,Udhampur and Reasi districts on May 18, against the indifferent attitude of Government towards them.
The decision in this regard was taken in a meeting of senior leaders of the Party from these five districts at Batote this afternoon. Meeting was attended by general secretary of the organization Ashok Koul, National Executive member Dr Nirmal Singh and former MLA Bali Bhagat .
The meeting observed that SPOs and VDCs who are fighting terrorism bravely are being harassed and discouraged by the local administration on one or the other pretext. SPOs and VDC members are some time being summoned and harassed in their respective police stations without any reason or on the fictitious complaints of the anti social elements.
Leaders also showed their serious concern over the termination, arrest and harassment of SPOs in Ram Nagar area of Udhampur district.
Addressing the party leaders Dr. Nirmal Singh lauded the role of VDCs and SPOs and said that both groups are the basic important organs for fighting international terrorism with close co-ordination with paramilitary, police and other security forces in the State.
He suggested that a special force be raised to curb the terrorism in J&K on the pattern of Ladakh scouts or Territorial Army by recruiting all the young VDC members in the state.
Bali Bhagat pointed out that 4068 VDC groups are functioning in Jammu province. Out of which only 2191 are being paid honorarium and rest 1877 VDCs have been deliberately ignored on political and communal grounds by the Government.
Prominent among others who attended the meeting were State secretary Sunil Sharma, Kabla Singh, Dina Nath Bhagat, Ramesh Kumar Sharma, Dalip Singh and Capt (Retd) Hukam Chand all the district presidents.
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