Village Defense Guards in Jammu Equipped with SLR Rifles
Posted: Sun Sep 08, 2024 10:07 pm
Once again, when the government needs their help, it suddenly finds that it can trust civilians with "military" rifles!
However, when civilians want simple npb (permissible) firearms for their own safety, licences are denied.
If civilians are trustworthy in times of government need, why are they not trusted when they apply for licences for self defence or any other personal use (crop protection, shooting sports etc.)? Just pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of policy makers.
Unfortunately, this has been the theme for the past several decades!
https://idrw.org/village-defense-guards ... militants/
However, when civilians want simple npb (permissible) firearms for their own safety, licences are denied.
If civilians are trustworthy in times of government need, why are they not trusted when they apply for licences for self defence or any other personal use (crop protection, shooting sports etc.)? Just pointing out the obvious hypocrisy of policy makers.
Unfortunately, this has been the theme for the past several decades!
https://idrw.org/village-defense-guards ... militants/
Village Defense Guards in Jammu Equipped with SLR Rifles, Ready to Fight Militants
The Village Defense Guards (VDGs) in the Jammu region have received a significant boost to their capabilities with the introduction of Semi-Automatic Rifles (SLRs) to replace the outdated .303 rifles. These VDGs, who assist security forces along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB), have expressed their readiness to combat militants but have also demanded an increase in their remuneration.
The distribution of SLR rifles is seen as a crucial step in enhancing the VDGs’ effectiveness in hunting down militants in the remote areas of the Jammu region. The new weapons provide a more sophisticated and reliable platform for search operations and surveillance activities.
The government’s decision to equip the VDGs with SLR rifles comes in response to their longstanding complaints about a lack of modern weaponry. So far, over 200 SLR rifles have been distributed among the VDGs in the region, significantly upgrading their arsenal.
The Ministry of Home Affairs has sanctioned automatic weapons for VDGs in Jammu, Rajouri, Poonch, Kathua, and Riasi districts, further enhancing their tactical capabilities. This move is expected to strengthen the VDGs’ ability to respond to threats and maintain security in the border areas.
The VDGs stationed near the Pakistani-Indian border in Garkhal have expressed their satisfaction with the government’s decision. They are now actively patrolling the border alongside police and army personnel, keeping a vigilant eye on potential militant activity.
The VDGs have emphasized their commitment to performing round-the-clock duties to protect their communities. With the new training and equipment, they feel more confident and prepared to confront militants effectively. However, they have also reiterated their demand for an increase in their remuneration, citing the challenging nature of their work and the risks involved.
