Excelsior Correspondent
JAMMU, Apr 24: Though women are second to none, a woman in mountainous areas of Mahore in Reasi district has been heading an all male Village Defence Committee (VDC), leading fight against the militants from the front.
Though Reasi is virtually militancy-free district now, the VDCs remained on the job as its mountainous areas fall in Pir Panjal range and the militants can shift to the hills when pressure grows on them in South Kashmir.
Kanta Devi, about 35, has been heading an all male VDC at village Choura Kot in Bhamag area of Reasi district, which once had presence of Lashkar-e-Toiba (LeT) and Hizbul Mujahideen militants but subsequently, they were eliminated during the operations and later entire Reasi district was declared as militancy free zone.
Kanta Devi has always been in forefront in leading the VDC of village Choura Kot which has seven other male members. She is fully trained in handling the weapons and targeting the militants, whenever required.
Said Kanta Devi: “I have made it a mission of my life to keep Choura Kot and surroundings free of militants. Whether there is presence of militants or not, we keep patrolling the village every night to ensure that the locals have sound sleep”.
Kanta’s husband, Kashmir Singh always encouraged her VDC member wife.
“Though Kanta had to stay out of the house, I always feel proud that she is heading the VDC and defending the village along with other VDC members from any kind of militant threat,” Kashmir Singh added.
Kanta Devi has appealed to other women also to come forward to become VDC members to defend their villages.
“Why only men? Women shouldn’t lag behind in fight against the militants, which is very crucial at this juncture. The fair sex must come forward and join fight against the militancy,” Kanta said, adding she was never frightened while patrolling during the nights as she know very well how to handle the weapons.
Moreover, she said, there are other VDC members to support her.
Local police officials are also all praise of Kanta Devi’s fight against militancy.
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