Who are they and why are they vital in combating terrorism?
Formation
The Village Defence Groups (VDGs), formerly Village Defence Committees (VDCs), were established by the Indian government in 1995
Purpose
To ensure the security of common people living in the villages and assist security forces
Origin in Counter-terrorism
During the 1990s, VDCs played a crucial role in countering militancy in Jammu and Kashmir, with members trained to engage militants until security forces arrived
Operational Structure
Each VDC comprised 10 members, including 3 Special Police Officers, equipped with .303 rifles
Operational Regions
Predominantly active in Jammu, especially in Pir Panjal and Chenab Valley, VDCs became inactive as the militancy situation improved in Kashmir
Revival Trigger
The recent surge in terrorism in Jammu prompted the central government to revive VDCs, renaming them Village Defence Groups (VDGs) in March 2022
Village Defence Guard Scheme
Instituted in March 2022, the scheme aims to form armed civilian groups, known as VDGs, in specific villages along borders and remote regions of Jammu
Training
Members undergo training by police and security forces on the use of automatic weapons
Security Mandate
VDGs are tasked with patrolling vulnerable areas day and night to ensure the safety of villagers, protect infrastructure, and prevent border crossings
Group Composition
Each VDG comprises 15 members from villages most susceptible to militant attacks, contributing to a localized defense strategy