MLAs, DDCs fully back public demand
Avtar Bhat
KATHUA, Apr 2: With increase in infiltration from across the border and terrorist strikes which have totally scared the people, the demand of constituting Village Defence Groups (VDGs) along the border belt as well as higher reaches in Kathua district is gaining momentum with public representatives fully backing the common masses demand in this regard.
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The public representatives including MLAs , DDC members and ex-Sarpanchs of Kathua district while fully supporting the growing public demand in this regard have said that constitution of VDGs can prove efficacious in combating terrorism while citing the role of VDGs performed in erstwhile Doda district during nineties and later in weeding out terrorism .
Along with constitution of VDGs, the people of Kathua district are also critical of administration for adopting delaying tactics in renewal of licenses of the legal weapons possessed by them since 2019. Increasing terror strikes coupled with negligent attitude of administration has been a cause of concern for the common masses in entire Kathua district especially in border belt and higher reaches which have become safe passage for terrorists, said Col (retd) Mahan Singh, District Development Committee (DDC) Chairman, Kathua.
He said “It is unfortunate that the administration asked the people to deposit their licensed weapons with police over some years back and till date they have neither returned these weapons to the people nor licenses were renewed. At least the people having their licensed weapons could have a satisfaction that they can take on terrorists in case they strike in their village or Mohalla.”
“We have been demanding return of the weapons and renewal of licenses but to no avail. This has become a cause of concern for the common masses especially in those areas which have become a safe passage for terrorists,” he added.
Col. Mahan Singh said that during recent killings of three youth who had accompanied a marriage party in Machedi area of Billawar, the people of the area later put a demand before the DIG regarding constitution of VDGs in entire belt so that they can secure themselves from terrorists.
He also demanded involvement of public representatives and seek their advice in this regard. “Giving weapons to people would give a satisfaction to them that they can take on terrorists in case they enter their village”, he added.
MLA Bani, Dr Rameshwar Singh Thakur, while justifying the demand for constitution of VDGs in border belt and upper reaches of Kathua district also strongly advocated for reinstatement of SPOs who have been disbanded. The Government should take an immediate decision in this regard as people feel totally scared especially in the far-flung and hilly reaches which have no security arrangements.
Rajiv Jasrotia, MLA Jasrota said the constitution of VDGs should be priority for the Government in view of increasing terrorist attacks in Kathua district. He said with constitution of VDGs and giving sophisticated weapons to them to fight terrorists will definitely prove a deterrent in checking cross border infiltration and terrorism as the people are the first line of defence.
The police and security forces reach the spot where terrorists have sneaked much later and till then they (terrorists) run away, Jasrotia said. The local VDGs if given sophisticated weapons can take on them easily and protect their fellow villagers, he added.
He also took administration to task for not renewing the weapons of the people. This way their weapons have been made illegal and they can’t use them in any eventuality like a terrorist strike. Moreover, those applying for new licenses for their weapons have to complete many formalities which is a cumbersome process, he added.
“MLA Hiranagar, Vijay Sharma, while strongly advocating that the youth of the border and upper reaches be given weapons, said the topography of this area is such that it is very difficult to locate the terrorists after they sneak inside in the thick bushes and jungles. The local youth fully aware of topography can play a heroic role in eliminating the terrorists who take refuge in thick bushes and jungles. The case of erstwhile Doda district is before us where terrorism was weeded out with the VDGs support, he added.
Bharat Bushan, MLA Kathua said people are totally scared since the terrorist attacks increased in Kathua district for last one year. He said the VDGs should not only be constituted but given sophisticated weapons and emoluments. He said the terrorists after sneaking inside Indian territory use Dayalachak route to proceed to upper reaches, so a strong mechanism be evolved in this area to thwart the designs of terrorists and constitution of VDGs is the only solution, he added.
Avtar Krishan Sharma, a social activist of Hatli also favoured constitution of VDGs and renewal of licenses of weapons so that the people’s shaken confidence can be restored.
Thakur Dass, ex Sarpanch Bani has also strongly advocated for constitution of VDGs which he said can prove a deterrent against terrorism while Rattan Chand and Dev Raj also of Bani said there is lot of tension among the people in hilly areas of Bani tehsil with increasing terror strikes.
Abhinandan Sharma DDC, Hiranagar while supporting the demand said the Government should take the public representatives into confidence. He said local VDGs can be very helpful in combating terrorism in the hilly and upper reaches of Kathua district. He said people in this border belt are in panic and in every village a VDG of five to 10 youth be constituted and they be given basic training of using sophisticated weapons.
He said Kathua district has been facing the increasing terrorist attacks for last one year after the two terrorists were gunned down in June last year at village Saida in Hiranagar.
This area is prone to infiltration and people take this route to travel to Machedi, Billawar and other higher reaches, he said.
“We have been constantly demanding constitution of VDGs in the district especially in border belt to assist the security forces in checking the infiltration and combating terrorism besides, renewal of licenses of weapons”, said Dr Shivita, DDC Lakhanpur.
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