Village Defence Groups and Border security

IN NEWS:

• Following two terrorist acts in Dhangri village of Jammu and Kashmir's Rajouri, calls were made to revive Village Defence Groups (VDG).

VILLAGE DEFENCE GUARDS:

• Formerly called the Village Defence Committee (VDC), VDG is a group of civilians provided with guns and ammunition to tackle militants in case of attack until the arrival of security forces.
• They are created with a view to ensure the safety and security of such villages, infrastructural installations in and around them and to check the trans-border movement.

History:

• The idea was taken from the 1965 and 1971 Indo-Pak wars, when the government armed ex-servicemen and abled-bodied youth in villages along the border to guard against infiltration of Pakistani spies.
• The VDCs were first formed in the erstwhile Doda district (now Kishtwar, Doda and Ramban districts) in mid 1990s as a force multiplier against militant attacks.
• Only the Special Police Officers leading them were provided a monthly stipend. Others used to be retired army, para military or police personnel.
• However, over a period of time, the number of VDC members has dropped significantly, either because of their involvement in criminal cases, government taking back their weapons or members surrendering the weapons in the absence of remuneration.

New scheme:

• The VDCs have now been renamed as Village Defence Guards (VDG).
• The new scheme to set up VDGs in vulnerable areas of J&K was approved by the Union Ministry of Home Affairs in March, 2022.
• Like a VDC member, each VDG will be provided a gun and 100 rounds of ammunition.
• The persons leading the VDGs will be paid Rs 4,500 per month by the government, while others will get Rs 4,000 each.

IMPORTANCE OF VDGs:

• Force multiplier:
  • VDGs have a strong knowledge of the local terrain, languages and people. Thus, they can play a significant part in assisting the armed forces in counter-terrorism operations, protecting infrastructure, maintaining vigil over acts of subversion and checking trans-border movements.
• Combat militancy:
  • Pak-backed agencies are trying to revive terrorism in areas where peace has been restored. Eg: Authorities believe that the recent Rajouri attack could be a sign that militants are looking to expand into Jammu because of a heavy military presence in the Kashmir valley.
  • To tackle this issue, grassroot level agencies like VDGs are needed.
• Tackle the changing nature of attacks:
  • Targeted killings: Number of civilians killed in terrorism-related incidents has recorded a sharp increase. For instance, there were 25 incidents of killings in October 2021.
  • “Hybrid militants”: A hybrid militant is an unlisted member of a militant group who receives training in weapons with the objective of carrying out targeted killings.
  • Use of drones: Arms, ammunition, IEDs and chemicals in liquid form are dropped across the border by Pakistan drones. 
• Counter Over Ground Workers (OGWs):
  • OGWs are the people who provide logistic support to the militants and assist them in their movement. As VDGs comprise of people from the region, they would be in a better position to identify OGWs and curb their activities.
• Support rehabilitation of migrants:
  • In the past, the VDCs has proved effective in combating militancy and preventing the migration of communities from the Pir Panjal and the Chenab Valley.
  • Today, VDGs can strengthen the government’s efforts of rehabilitating Kashmir migrants back at their ancestral places.
• Strengthen nationalistic feelings:
  • Participation in VDGs can strengthen the people’s will to actively participate in the efforts to thwart threats to national security and integrity. This can prevent alienation of people, reduce trust deficit with armed forces, tackle unemployment and strengthen nationalistic sentiments.
• Restoration of democracy:
  • The first elections in the UT, following the abrogation of Article 370 and the bifurcation of the state, are expected to be held in 2023. VDGs could play an important role in ensuring peaceful elections and restoring democracy.

CRITICISM OF VDCs:

• Human rights violations:
  • According to official figures, VDC members faced around 160 cases related to several crimes, including murder, rape and extortions.
• Threat to life:
  • There have been instances where the volunteers and their families were targeted by militants for being part of VDCs.
• Fear of polarization:
  • Many of crimes committed by VDCs have acquired a communal hue, since the defence groups were predominantly Hindu, operating in Muslim-majority areas.
  • It also came criticised for alleged partisan recruitment, with members from a particular community getting recruited more than the other
• State sponsoring of militias:
  • Modern Constitutionalism posits that no wielder of power should be allowed to claim the right to perpetrate the state's violence against anyone. However, placing weapons in the hands of locals to tackle security concerns contradicts this view.
• Past experiences:
  • Courts have criticised the use of militia to tackle law and order situations. Eg: In 2011, the Supreme Court declared Salwa Judum, a militia mobilised and deployed to counter Naxalism in Chhattisgarh, to be illegal and unconstitutional and ordered its disbanding.

CONCLUSION:

Following steps may be adopted to achieve people inclusive border management:

• Strengthen Armed forces:
  • Many of the regulation and practices that apply to the forces distances them from the common man. It is necessary to re-look such policies and practices.
  • Also, forces must be trained to avoid stereotyping and treat people with dignity. Motivation, incentive and monitoring is necessary to develop a morally and ethically strong force.
• Develop a Community Oriented Force:
  • Training, motivation and incentives must be provided to the local population for engaging in the task of border management.
• Win the Hearts and Minds of people:  
  • Outreach initiative should go in hand with counter terrorism operations. Periodical awareness programmes, organising games and cultural shows etc. can draw the public closer to the forces.
• Monitor grievances against the forces:
  • The grievance redress mechanism against the force personnel warrants a systematic reappraisal.
• Curb online hate propaganda:
  • Cybercrime police need to intensify vigil on social medial platforms and curtail the spread of communally sensitive content.
• Localized industrial development:
  • Sector-specific strategies should be adopted to promote industries in Jammu and Kashmir keeping in mind the climate, accessibility, raw material availability, human resources and consumption pattern

People living in the border areas are an important ingredient towards a secure and safe border. However, replacing the concept of 'border guarding' with 'border management' would be a more sustainable way in enhancing security and development of the borders besides providing a sense of belonging to the people.

PRACTICE QUESTION:

Q. Critically analyse the role of Village Defence Groups in effective border area management?