VDF strike called off after meeting with DGP
Source: Hueiyen News Service

Imphal, March 28 2015 : All Manipur VDF Welfare Association (AMVDFWA) has suspended its indefinite strike on Saturday after DGP of Manipur Police assured that the Chief Minister and his deputy would be consulted to fulfill the association's demands.

AMVDFWA spokesperson Riyaz Khan informed this to journalists this evening at Irabot Bhavan.

He said the association kicked-off an indefinite strike on March 20 demanding the Government to meet its demands.

Riyaz said representatives of AMVDFWA met DGP Shahid Ahmed and Superintendent of Police, Imphal West, RK Jhalajit.

During the meeting the DGP and the SP assured them that they would consult CM Ibobi and Deputy CM Gaikhangam to consider their demands.

"They told the AMVDFWA leaders that their demands are genuine," Riyaz said.

Bandh supporters blocking a road

Earlier, Deputy CM Gaikhangam appealed to AMVDFWA to desist from indulging in any form of strike, saying VDF personnel are also entrusted with a major task to protect life and properties of the public.

Addressing media at his chamber in the State Secretariat, the Deputy CM said hiking honourarium of the VDF personnel is a matter concerned with money, which was to be consulted at the CM's level.

He said the monthly honourarium for VDF personnel has been increased to Rs 5,000 per month from the previous Rs 4,000 .

Gaikhangam also made a distinction between Manipur Police and VDF in service, but admitted that there are well-educated VDF personnel too.

The Deputy CM said he was waiting a report on the matter from the DGP.

Gaikhangam said he hoped the VDF association would withdraw its stir.

In a media query, Gaikhangam said the peace parley between the Government of India and NSCN (IM) was a good step for bringing about a political solution, but sent out a strong message that the Manipur Government has its own stand to safeguard the integrity of the State.

Meanwhile, the Kuki Senior Citizens Welfare Forum, Churachandpur has appealed to the State Government to kindly consider the demands of the VDF personnel as they are part and parcel of defence force/ security department.

In a statement the forum also said the nature of their (VDF personnel) duty is in no case inferior to the duties of other security forces in maintaining law and order, in promoting the atmosphere of peace and solidarity and bringing welfare of the public in the society.

It said the Government of Manipur may sympathetically look into the grievances and consider their demands as a special case since the force has been statutorily set up by the Government.