Context:
Recently, Union Minister Jitendra Singh declared that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) in the Jammu region are now armed with advanced weaponry to counter increasing terrorism-related incidents.
Relevance:
GS III: Security Challenges
Dimensions of the Article:
- Overview of Village Defence Guards (VDGs)
- Reasons for Rise in Militancy in Jammu
- Challenges in Dealing with Rise in Militancy
- Way Forward
Overview of Village Defence Guards (VDGs)
- Origins and Context:
- Militancy spread to Doda district from Kashmir in the early 1990s, escalating by the mid-1990s.
- A civilian massacre in Kishtwar in 1993 spurred the initial arming of civilians.
- Increased violence led to the migration of Hindus and the formation of Village Defence Committees (VDCs) by the Home Ministry in 1995.
- Formation and Purpose:
- VDGs, previously known as VDCs, are grassroots security entities in Jammu and Kashmir, formed to provide localized defense against terrorism, particularly targeting susceptible communities.
- They bolster local security through immediate response to terrorist threats and support formal law enforcement by intelligence gathering and maintaining area peace.
- Composition and Operations:
- Composed of up to 15 armed civilians per group from vulnerable areas, including ex-servicemen, robust youth, and trained locals in self-defense and arms handling.
- Operate under the supervision of the district’s Senior Superintendent of Police (SSP) or Superintendent of Police (SP).
Key Functions of VDGs
- Regular Duties:
- Conduct patrols and monitor for suspicious activities to intercept terrorist movements.
- Gather and relay crucial intelligence to security forces for preemptive measures.
- Engage community members in security processes, enhancing vigilance and responsibility among locals.
- Impact During Militancy Peak:
- Significantly countered militancy in Jammu, feared by militants especially in poorly accessible areas.
- Leveraged local geographical knowledge to thwart and manage militant activities effectively.
Challenges and Contemporary Status
- Challenges Faced:
- VDGs struggle with financial and logistical constraints, impacting their effectiveness.
- Members face heightened risk from terrorist targeting due to their active defense roles.
- Past allegations of power misuse, including severe crimes, led to temporary program suspensions.
- Current Developments:
- Revitalization and fortification of VDGs initiated in 2022 to tackle increasing terrorism in Jammu.
- Recent measures include advanced weaponry provision and upgraded training to equip VDGs against evolving security threats.
Reasons for Rise in Militancy in Jammu
Factors Contributing to Militancy:
- Zero Terror Policy in Kashmir: Militants exploit the relative calm in Kashmir due to stringent security measures, prompting them to relocate and operate in Jammu.
- Troop Movements to Ladakh: Shifts in military deployments post-Galwan incident in 2020 may have inadvertently reduced security focus in Jammu, allowing militants to exploit perceived vulnerabilities.
- Strategic Gateway: Jammu’s position as a crucial gateway to India makes it an attractive target for militants aiming to disrupt normalcy and create fear.
- Proximity to LoC: Easy access from Pakistan-occupied Kashmir facilitates infiltration and logistical support for militants operating in hilly and forested areas.
- Establishing Footholds: Recent incidents indicate deliberate efforts by militants to establish strongholds across districts like Rajouri, Poonch, and Reasi.
- Economic Marginalization: Lack of economic opportunities in remote and border areas of Jammu makes local youth vulnerable to recruitment by militant groups.
- Political Alienation: Perceived political alienation among certain communities, compounded by historical grievances, can foster sympathy or support for militant ideologies.
- Generational Shift in Intelligence Gathering: Security forces face challenges in cultivating relationships with younger generations, impacting human intelligence efforts.
Challenges in Dealing with Rise in Militancy
Operational and Strategic Challenges:
- Border Vulnerabilities: The 192-km international border and 740-km LoC in Jammu serve as potential infiltration points, requiring robust surveillance and security measures.
- Terrain Exploitation: Militants exploit tough terrains and forested areas along borders for infiltration, complicating security responses.
- Community Trust: Building and maintaining trust between security forces and local communities remains crucial for effective intelligence gathering.
- Revival of Village Defence Guards: Efforts to revive Village Defence Guards are challenged by past allegations of misconduct, affecting community cooperation.
- Communication Technologies: Militants utilize sophisticated communication tools and local sympathizers, complicating intelligence gathering efforts.
- External Support: Allegations of cross-border support from Pakistan, including drone-based weapons supply, influence local militancy dynamics.
- Communal Dynamics: Jammu’s demographic diversity exposes it to communal tensions, exploited by militants to create divisions and fear.
Way Forward
Strategic Measures and Initiatives:
- Enhanced Border Security: Strengthen surveillance and fortification along the Line of Control (LoC) and International Border (IB) to curb cross-border infiltration.
- Advanced Surveillance Technologies: Deploy drones, night-vision equipment, and data analytics to enhance operational effectiveness and real-time monitoring.
- Legal Framework Strengthening: Enhance laws against terrorism financing, fast-track terror cases, and ensure robust prosecution through dedicated courts.
- Socio-Economic Development: Invest in socio-economic initiatives, youth empowerment, and community dialogue to counter extremist ideologies.
- Diplomatic and International Cooperation: Engage in diplomatic efforts and international cooperation to disrupt external support networks for militants.
- Continuous Review of Security Policies: Adapt security policies to evolving militant tactics while prioritizing civilian safety and minimizing collateral damage.
-Source: The Hindu
