VDF threatens to resume pen down and gun down strike from August 1

The All Manipur VDF (Village Defence Force) Employees’ Welfare Association has announced its decision to resume an indefinite Gun Down and Pen Down strike from August 1, 2025, if the State Government fails to fulfil their long-pending demands by July 31.
Speaking at a press conference held at the Manipur Press Club, Sh. Sanjit Singh, President of the Central Committee of the Association, stated that the proposed agitation is a result of the government’s inaction despite earlier commitments. He said the Association had called off its previous strike on May 17, 2025, following a written assurance from the government to address their demands within two months. However, no official steps or notifications have been issued since then, he added.
Highlighting the core demands, the Association reiterated three key issues. First, it called for the formal implementation of Section 18 of the Police Act, 1861, which allows for the temporary appointment of additional police personnel. The VDF personnel, originally engaged under this provision, are seeking formal recognition to legitimise their roles within the law enforcement framework.
Second, the Association is demanding regularisation of the VDF personnel who have been serving under strenuous and high-risk conditions for several years. They asserted that regularisation would ensure job security, access to service benefits, and parity with other uniformed personnel.
The third demand concerns the revision of pay structure and service benefits. The Association pointed out that the current honorarium is grossly inadequate compared to the workload and duties performed by VDF personnel in maintaining law and order across the state.
The Central Committee appealed to the State Government to act swiftly and responsibly to resolve the long-standing grievances and avert any disruption to essential law enforcement duties.