Dr Jitendra Singh addresses public meeting and holds Public Durbar at Doda district of J&K

Addressing a public rally here today before holding a general “Public Durbar” lasting over three hours, Union Minister Dr Jitendra Singh reaffirmed the revival of Village Defence Guards (VDGs).

“The security agencies have a strategy in place  to control the security situation in  district Doda and its adjoining areas in view of the recent incidents of terror, but such strategies are not discussed in public”, said Union Minister of State (Independent Charge) Science & Technology; MoS PMO, Personnel, Public Grievances, Pensions, Atomic Energy and Space, Dr Jitendra Singh here today.

Dr Jitendra Singh said that Village Defence Guards (VDGs) are being revived in the militancy-infested areas with an objective to empower them to fight terrorists. “The government has also decided that if and wherever needed, VDGs will be deployed as part of the multi-pronged strategy to confront the challenge posed by terrorists’“, he further informed. He also announced that weapons, including SLR rifles, may be provided to the VDGs so that they can negotiate the challenge effectively. 

The Minister made A fervent appeal to all the communities to put up a united front against terrorism. He recalled that Doda did not succumb to terrorism even during the 1990s when it was at its peak. “As inhabitants faced the menace tooth and nail, they were successful in preventing migration of the people from here”, the Minister highlighted.