STRENGTHENING VDCs
The incident reported from Budhal area of J&K’s Rajouri District wherein a VDC member fired at suspicious persons near Shahpur village shows how vital is to strengthen the VDCs as the same can be much helpful in containing terrorism by acting as ear and eyes of the security forces and also acting tough against any such threat which needs immediate response. It is pertinent to mention that security forces last night launched a cordon and search operation in the aforesaid area after some Village Defence Committee (VDC) members fired at “suspicious” persons in the area. It has been reported that a local resident from Shahpur village, who is also a VDC member, noticed movement of suspected persons, who pelted stones at the VDC member leaving him injured. Consequently, he fired upon the suspects using his rifle after which other VDC members of the area also fired at the suspects. It was also alleged that the suspects present in the area also fired two gunshots towards the VDC members and then escaped from the spot. Thereafter the security forces including army and police came into action and started the Cordon and Search Operation (CASO). Though no one has been apprehended as reports suggested but the importance of the VDC members and the committees has once again come to fore with a clear cut message to the government that VDCs should be given more focused attention as these can play a significant role in eliminating terrorism from the UT of J&K. There is no doubt that BJP Government led by PM Narendra Modi has taken many steps in recent past to rejuvenate the VDCs and provide good remuneration to those rendering services in making these committees more vibrant and effective but there is need to give a bigger role to these daredevils in containing terrorism because they can prove more effective as they are present at the scene while security forces, police and army have to visit the places of happening whenever there is any terror related activity. Besides, this body can also be utilized to make the intelligence network more robust because being local, the VDC members are having knowledge of local dialects, behaviour of people and activities of concern. The government should focus on all these aspects as the same can prove to be much helpful in the coming time.