Indicating large-scale involvement of Village Defence Committee (VDC) members in crimes like murder, rapes and rioting, the J&K Government Friday revealed that 221 cases have been registered against them. The PDP-BJP Government however ruled out disbanding the militia.
In a written reply, Chief Minister Mehbooba Mufti- who is also Minister in-charge Home – Friday informed the Legislative Assembly that 221 FIRs have been lodged against VDC men in different police stations for indulging in serious offences.
Set up in 1995 when J&K was under President’s Rule, the VDCs have come under sharp criticism for committing massive human rights violations in Chenab and Pir Panchal regions of Jammu province.
Giving break up of FIRs registered against the VDC personnel, the Home Ministry disclosed that 23 murder, seven rape, 15 rioting and three NDPS cases were registered against them. The remaining 169 cases were registered against them under other sections of law.
Of the registered cases, 205 have been challaned till date.
Shockingly, the status of challaned cases reveals that the conviction rate in them is abysmally low with accused getting convicted in only five cases so far.
According to the reply, 121 cases were still under trial while accused got acquitted in 42 cases. In the remaining 37 cases, compromise was reached between the parties involved, it states.
The Home Ministry also revealed that there is no proposal to disband VDCs in J&K. “Keeping in view the security situation in the State and the role played by VDCs there is no proposal to disband them,” the reply reads.
The CM, however, said VDC members found involved in any act of misuse of their allotted weapons are immediately disengaged and appropriate action warranted under law is initiated against them.
“Directions have been issued to the concerned district SPs to initiate action against such VDC members and to ensure that the weapons allotted to them are withdrawn,” she said.
Govt says no plan to disband VDC’s, who are facing 23 Murder, 7 Rape, 15 Rioting Cases
