Unmasking VDF
- Hueiyen Lanpao Editorial :: October 07, 2013 -

Though the chemist shops in the capital city have been reopened from Sunday morning, bringing a great sigh of relief to not just the pharmacists concerned but also to the suffering people; the latest episode of forced shut down of the chemist shops for three consecutive days in the heart of the capital city itself following threat over monetary demand from a gang of Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel has once again shown the deep-rooted rot within the State Police Department that could not be cleaned up simply by sweeping over the surface.

This is not the first time where the ill-trained VDF personnel have been found involved in such criminal activists of varying degree, where ever they may be posted, in hill or the valley.

There have been numerous instances in the past and the space allotted for this column would be too short, if we were to list them down here.

In fact, as recent as September 23 last, six drunk VDF personnel have been terminated from their services for raping a young woman at Noney in Tamenglong district.

Two of the VDF personnel from among the gang terrorising the pharmacists with monetary demand this time would also be similarly terminated from their service. But would this be the solution to the problem?

It is interesting to know that the latest episode of VDF personnel masquerading as armed underground activists and causing problem in the society has come about at a time when Deputy Chief Minister Gaikhangam, who is also in charge of Home portfolio, is reportedly making every possible effort towards grooming a people-friendly police force in the State, even to the extent of introducing foot patrol policing system to win the trust and confidence of the people.

As we have pointed out through this column earlier, even if the introduction of the community policing system is laudable, there are many home works to be done for putting it into practice specially in a State like Manipur where mischief mongers thrive.

But unfortunately, after the introduction of foot patrol police in the twin district capital of Imphal East and West on experimental basis, what the eyes of the public could not fail to see at every nook and corner of the streets are the same ill-trained and ill-disciplined VDF personnel everywhere.

Providing training for a month or two could never make these semi-literate creatures ready for the job at hand. Putting them on duty for such an important task has only inflated their ego so much so that they have started acting and behaving just like their uncouth and unruly big brother named 'commandos'.

Unmasking of the VDF in the latest episode should also be a lesson for the Home Minister if he is really wants the State police force to win the trust and confidence of the people.