All Manipur VDF (Village Defence Force) Welfare Association has cautioned that the VDF personnel will not indulge in their assigned duties including the assembly election duties if their demands are not fulfilled by February 20.
In a statement N. Rameshwor Singh, publicity secretary of the welfare association in a press statement released today stated the government has not been responding positively despite of their appeal since 2015 demanding to increase their monthly honorarium.
The VDF personnel get Rs 4,000 as monthly salary and additional Rs 1,000 as ration allowance. They have been demanding suitable honorarium with service security by providing service books and a separate battalion.
The VDF was first raised in 2008 by the Okram Ibobi Singh government to protect Heirok village in Thoubal district from militants. The members of the force were initially called special police officers and the name was changed to VDF later on.
The strength of the force was increased to 10,500 and members of the force have been deployed in all the nine districts to assist the state police in maintaining law and order.
Initially, a sum of Rs 3,000 each was given as honorarium to the members per month later it was raised to Rs 5,000 including ration money. Personnel of the force are attached to police stations.
They also complain that they are being used by police officers even for their private work and assigned duties as regular policeman.
Rameshwor said the BDF personnel will not attend road opening party duties and election duties accept camp duty if the demands were not met as determined in a meeting held today at Manipur Press Club.
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