VDF personnel stage major protest in Thoubal demanding fulfilment of long-pending demands

Demanding immediate fulfilment of their long-pending demands, Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel of Thoubal district staged a massive protest at Hayel Labuk Lampak.
A large number of VDF personnel from different parts of Thoubal district participated in the protest. The demonstrators held placards reading “Our Demands are Legitimate,” “Security without Security Force (VDFs) is Injustice,” “Recognise VDF, Regularise VDF,” “Government Apathy Forcing VDF to Strike,” and “No Right, No Duty.”
Speaking to the media, Vice President of the Thoubal District VDF Welfare Association, L. Suresh Meitei, said that the protest was organised to press the State Government to address the long-standing demands of VDF personnel, which have remained unresolved for years.
He stated that due to the continued neglect and failure of the government to take any concrete steps, VDF personnel across the state have been compelled to launch an indefinite “gun-down and pen-down” strike. As part of this agitation, today’s protest was held to urge the authorities to fulfil their genuine demands.
Suresh Meitei further informed that as per the decision of the Central Committee, a massive rally will be organised in Imphal on January 16, in which more than 2,000 VDF personnel from Thoubal district alone are expected to participate.
He emphasised that the demands raised by the VDF are legitimate and are rooted in the principles enshrined in Article 39(d) of the Indian Constitution, which advocates equal pay for equal work for both men and women. He questioned why the State Government continues to ignore constitutional provisions related to service matters.
Stating that peace and stability cannot be ensured by ignoring the grievances of those working at the grassroots level of security, he said that unresolved issues and injustice could lead to unrest. “We do not want to disturb peace. It is the responsibility of the State Government to maintain peace by addressing our demands,” he added.
The protest concluded peacefully, with VDF personnel reiterating their resolve to continue their agitation until their demands are met.