VDF demands separate battalion headed by a Superintendent of Police

Village Defence Force (VDF) today demanded a separate battalion headed by a Superintendent of Police besides increment to their honorarium and granting of 13th Month Pay. Memorandums have been submitted to the Governor, Chief Minister, Home Minister and Director General of Police in the regard.The demands were made in connection with the General Conference of the All Manipur VDF Welfare Association held at Manipur Press Club. Various dignitaries including L. Sotinkumar, Secretary, All India Trade Union Congress, Manipur, Wangkhemcha Shamjai, President All Manipur Working Journalists’ Union and Professor Sadananda, Secretary Senior Citizen for Society, Manipur were present on the occasion. Speakers during the general conference highlighted the problems being faced by the VDF besides the poor payment.General Secretary of the All Manipur VDF Welfare Association Riyas Khan speaking in a press conference organised at the sideline of the function said that they had prepared a memorandum containing a charter demand for the welfare of the VDF and the same will be submitted to the governor of Manipur, Chief Minister, Home Minister and Director General of Police.He said the charter of demands includes increment of the present honorarium being enjoyed by the VDF, granting of 13th Month pay as provided to the MR, IRB and the Manipur Police, maintenance of separate service book for the VDF and establishment of a separate battalion for the VDF.At present the VDF are enjoying a monthly honorarium of rupees 5000/-. This they demand for increment to rupees 10,000/-.Riyas Khan further said that the VDF are doing duty round the week with no holiday and they too deserve 13th month pay like those of the MR, Manipur Police and IRB. If the government do not feel like paying the 13th month pay then they should be exempted from duty on Saturday and Sunday, he added.At present there are 10500 VDF personnel deployed at various places under the supervision of the respective police station. The way of engagement for VDF personnel is not systematic and there is an urgent need for placing all the VDF personnel under a single unit. This can be only possible after the government establish a separate battalion for the VDF, Riyas Khan added.Vice President of the All Manipur VDF Welfare Association, laishram Deven also present during the press meet.