The Village Defence Force (VDF) Welfare Association of Thoubal District has voiced serious concern over the state government’s failure to act on assurances made to the Central Committee of the All Manipur VDF Employees Welfare Association. The assurances, made in response to a memorandum submitted earlier this year, had promised resolution of long-pending issues within a two-month timeframe. However, with the deadline approaching, the Association said no visible progress has been made.
The key demands highlighted by the Association include full implementation of Section 18 of the Indian Police Act, 1861, which would provide legal recognition, status, and protection to VDF personnel. They are also demanding regularization of long-serving VDF members and an enhancement of their honorarium in line with other state security forces such as the Manipur Police, Manipur Rifles, and IRB, given the similar nature of duties and risks involved.
The Association also called for the implementation of office memoranda and previous government notifications related to VDF welfare, most of which remain unaddressed except for one.
In a public statement, the Thoubal District VDF Welfare Association urged the Government of Manipur to place the matter before the Governor’s Council for timely consideration and approval. They stressed that failure to meet the deadline would further deepen dissatisfaction among thousands of VDF personnel across the state.
The Association warned that if the government fails to act, it would have no choice but to extend full support to any form of democratic agitation initiated by the Central Committee. It called for timely and sincere government action to ensure justice, dignity, and fair treatment for VDF personnel across Manipur.