On Saturday, the Indian Army organized a training session for the volunteers of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) in the Naushera sector of Jammu and Kashmir (J&K). Writing on microblogging website Twitter, the Army’s White Knight Corps stated that this exercise was undertaken to refresh their weapon training and intelligence gathering skills. It mentioned that the session comprised of firing practice. Also, the members underwent a medical examination. The White Knight Corps further revealed that the local populace had appreciated the ‘Army for Awaam’ initiative.  

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About the VDCs

On September 30, 1995, the Jammu and Kashmir Home Department issued an order, leading to the formation of the VDCs. They came into existence for 'self-defence' and 'supplementing efforts of the forces to curb militancy and cross-border infiltration.' The aim was to provide for the protection of the villages and check trans-border movement. According to the order, it was a manifestation of the will of the people to actively participate in the efforts to thwart the threat being posed to national security and integrity. The VDCs were specifically meant for strengthening the security of people living in remote and mountainous areas of Doda, Kishtwar, Ramba, Rajouri, Reasi, Kathua and Poonch districts of J&K. Estimated to be about 4,125 in number, the VDCs guard the infrastructural installations and villages along the border. 

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Energizing and revamping the VDCs

In May 2019, General Officer Commanding in Chief (GoC-in-C), Northern Command, Lieutenant General Ranbir Singh remarked that the VDCs were the most useful instrument with the authorities. He stressed the need to energize the VDCs so that they could carry out their responsibilities. A decision was taken to relieve 352 VDCs and 117 Special Police Officers (SPOs) in Kishtwar district of J&K in July this year. These volunteers had crossed the age of 60. Though Kishtwar was declared 'terrorism-free' a decade ago, recent killings forced the authorities to take this action. 

(Inputs from ANI)

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