Village Defense Guards in Jammu Equipped with SLR Rifles

[mundaire]

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/

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received a significant boost to their capabilities with the introduction of Semi-Automatic Rifles (SLRs) to replace the outdated .303 rifles.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.

[Prabhath]

The thinking has to change only then will things improve. Successive governments regardless of ideology have been denying the right to self defense to the people. Not saying that due diligence and checks and balances should not be maintained. There should be more of an educated and openminded outlook towards responsible gun ownership, by the government.

[MAGNUM]

Very true, even the concept of prohibited bore comes from the British Times when the administration presumed that the Indians in the army and police would sell/ make available ammo to the citizens and revolutionaries and even after 75 yrs of independence the government of India carries on with the same mindset.

[eljefe]

‘…. The new weapons provide a more sophisticated and reliable platform…’
A different level of sophistry from the armchair commandos who post millions of gigabytes on YT about why the SLR is outdated. But good enough suddenly to be given to the ordinary hoi polloi , doubling as cannon fodder?
I think there may be large number of ex servicemen settled in those areas who would have more faith in the ‘old faithful ‘ than the frenzied keyboard ‘influencers ‘ on (anti) social
Media.