Current Affairs » J&K Govt Announce Village Defense Guards Program, 2022

J&K Govt Announce Village Defense Guards Program, 2022

The Village Defence Guards Initiative, or VDGS, is a defence-related scheme that was only introduced for the Jammu and Kashmir region on August 14th. Many initiatives were introduced during the Azadi ka Amrit Mahotsav, & this plan was also started during this period with the primary objective of boosting security in Jammu’s border districts. 

Significantly, this follows recent targeted assassinations and terror actions in the Union Jammu and Kashmir Territories in which terrorists murdered both innocent people and elements of security personnel. It is worth noting that the plan was previously known as the Village Defence Council programme, wherein the Indian Police and Army taught the volunteers from villages.

Table of Contents

  1. Rural Defense Control Program 2022
  2. History of the Defender of the City
  3. Eligibility for the Village Defense Guards Scheme

Key Takeaways

  • The Village Defence Guards Initiative, or VDGS, a defence-related scheme was introduced to the Jammu and Kashmir region on August 14th, 2022
  • This initiative was mentioned during Azadi ka Mahotsav, India’s 75th Independence Celebration
  • The motive was to strengthen the security of the Jammu border area during this period

Rural Defense Control Program 2022

The Village Defense Guard Scheme, or VDGS, is a defence-related program and plan officially announced on August 14th in Jammu and Kashmir. There were many initiatives during the Azadi Amrit Mahotsav, and the government also announced a plan to strengthen the security of the Jammu border area during this period. The Jammu and Kashmir government recently launched this defence plan on August 14th. 

The program was launched with Azadi Ka Amrit Mahotsav as a tool to improve security in the Jammu border area. According to the officials, the village’s defence map will be directed by the authorities to ensure the infrastructure and public facilities within the commune’s limits starting from August 15th. 

The chosen ones are monitored day and night, especially protecting their area from terrorists. VDGs are divided into :

  1. Those who have an active firearms license and have been issued firearms by the J&K Police and
  2. Those with a valid license and firearm or wish to purchase a firearm on account own

History of the Defender of the City

Formerly known as the Village Defense Committee, the program began on September 30th 1995, and the Indian Army and Police participated in the training of community volunteers. 

VDC received firearms as part of this program and used them to protect communities from terrorism and other acts related to terrorism, focusing on protecting the most vulnerable villages in the hilly areas of the Jammu region. The Indian Army and the Jammu and Kashmir Police have been helping VDC members in the fight against terrorism. VDC members have long wanted this committee to be structured with selective payments.

Village Defense Control Chart Benefits and Key Points:

  • The initiative organises small groups of armed citizens who are volunteers from identified villages in the border and deep areas of the Jammu region to promote self-defence awareness and ensure the safety and security of the surrounding towns and infrastructure for Cross-border traffic control. 
  • Village guards protect communal structures and community infrastructure and conduct regular day and night patrols.
  • Considering the security-related situation in UT Jammu and Kashmir, especially in the violence-prone areas, it was necessary to adapt the existing systems to prevent a terrorist attack that was influenced and supported by people from all over the world.
  • It helps strengthen the border and territory security system of the federal territory of Jammu and Kashmir. 
  • Groups are divided into sections with no more than 15 people per group. Groups only patrol certain areas during the day or night. 
  • VDGs are divided into two groups. Persons with a valid license for possession of arms and firearms issued by the Jammu and Kashmir Police and those with an active license or arms are willing to purchase arms.
  • The new group will be called “Village Defense Group” and be led by ex-servicemen. 
  • The district administration selects eligible candidates from the applications submitted by the group members. 
  • They volunteer their time and energy. Of the two groups this program covers, the first group receives a monthly salary. Four thousand five hundred per person, the 2nd group, the same amount is paid monthly to those who voluntarily joined the village protection group. 
  • Village chowkidars and trees in “vulnerable areas” support village defence groups.

Eligibility for the Village Defense Guards Scheme

The following will be the eligibility conditions for this scheme:

  • Village ex-servicemen and ex-policemen
  • Non-disabled younger men who seem skilled in using firearms and ammunition are willing to serve society’s well-being and the village’s protection.

The competent authorities have made the application procedure for Village Defense Guard Program available online and offline.