VDF launches cease work strike
Source: Hueiyen News Service
Imphal, February 04 2013:
Giving up their service weapons, a large number of Village Defense Force (VDF) personnel in Thoubal district have launched a cease work strike from today demanding hike in their monthly salary.
The cease work strike had been initiated under the auspices of All Manipur Village Defence Force Welfare Association (AMVDFWA) .
The agitated personnel have also threatened to launch an indefinite general strike with effect from February in case the State Government do not pay attention to their demand even after launching the cease work strike.
A spokesperson of the agitating VDF personnel told media that the cease work strike would also be spread to other remaining districts of the State soon.
The spokesperson warned that in case the State Government fails to give a positive response to their demands by February 6, they would be constraint to impose an indefinite general strike in the State from February 7 .
Meanwhile, in a statement, G Iboton, General Secretary of the Association, pointed out that the VDF personnel have been recruited by the State Government to look after the law and situation in the State.
However, they are being used by their officers in their private works as servants.
Moreover, VDF personnel who are given a meager amount of Rs 3,000 as monthly salary are being assigned the duty of police officers who draw monthly salary of Rs 30,000 .
Instead of looking into the present awful condition in which the VDF personnel are working, the State Government is blaming the VDF personnel over any crime occurred in the State.
Iboton also charged the State Government and its concerned authorities with not extending any financial support to the VDF personnel when they are seriously injured while controlling the agitators on various occasions.
The VDF personnel are left to themselves when it comes to medical treatment.