The Ministry of Home Affairs' (MHA) recent decision to provide Village Defence Guards (VDGs) with semi-automatic weapons like INSAS and SLRs has been met with widespread approval from security experts and VDGs themselves. This move comes in response to the growing threat posed by Pakistani terrorists equipped with M4 US carbines and AK-47s.
Dheeraj Kumar Sharma, former sarpanch of Dhangri village in Rajouri district, which suffered a deadly terrorist attack last year, believes this decision will significantly improve security and restore a sense of safety among the villagers. He also emphasized the need to create more VDGs, provide them with salaries, and train them effectively with the help of the army and police.
Amit Sayal, a VDG from Rajouri, echoed this sentiment, stating that semi-automatic weapons would bolster their capabilities and morale. Former DGP, SP Vaid, who played a crucial role in establishing village defence committees in Jammu, also welcomed the MHA's move, emphasizing its importance in preventing civilian casualties during terrorist attacks.
Sources within the Home department have revealed that the VDGs will likely be armed with SLRs, replacing the outdated .303 rifles. The weapons will be distributed in phases, prioritizing districts like Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kathua, Reasi, and Udhampur.
The urgency of this decision was underscored by a recent attack on the house of Parshotam Kumar, a VDG who was recently awarded the Shaurya Chakra for eliminating a terrorist.
VDGs, previously known as village defence committees, have a proven track record of successfully combating terrorists during the peak of militancy in the 1990s. They have effectively checked the disturbing trend of selective killings in the Jammu region, even while armed with conventional .303 rifles.
This move by the MHA is expected to significantly enhance the capabilities of VDGs, enabling them to better protect their villages and contribute to the overall security of the region.
