Over 2,000 VDF personnel protest in Thoubal over long-pending demands
Source: The Sangai Express

Thoubal, January 09 2026: Demanding the fulfilment of their long-pending demands, Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel of Thoubal district staged a massive protest demonstration on Friday at Hayel Labuk Lampak, Thoubal.

The protest was participated by over 2,000 VDF personnel from across the district.

The VDF personnel across the State have been pressing the government to address their longstanding demands, which include regularisation of service, revision of the pay structure, and implementation of Section 18 of the Police Act, 1861, among other issues.

During the protest, the VDF personnel displayed placards bearing slogans such as "Our Demands are Legitimate", "Recognise VDF, Regularise VDF", "Government Apathy Forcing VDF to strike", "No Right No Duty", "United We Stand, VDF for Justice", urging the government to address the plight of the VDF personnel at the earliest.

Speaking on the sideline of the protest, vice-president of the Thoubal District VDF Welfare Association, L Suresh, said that the agitation was triggered by the State government's repeated failure to meet the long-pending demands of the VDF, despite assurances that discussions were being held to resolve the issues.

He alleged that the government has repeatedly adjourned the proposed timelines for granting their demands.

Aggrieved by the continued delay, VDF personnel across the State have launched a statewide 'gun-down and pendown" strike, he said.

As part of this agitation, the Thoubal district VDF personnel organised today's protest to press for immediate redressal of their demands.

Suresh further stated that, as per a resolution adopted by the Central Committee, a massive rally will be organised at Imphal on January 16, in which around 2,000 VDF personnel from Thoubal district are also expected to participate.

He asserted that the demands raised by the VDF are legitimate, citing Article 39(d) of the Indian Constitution, which provides for equal pay for equal work for both men and women.

He alleged that the State Government's inaction runs contrary to the spirit of the Constitution.

Emphasising the importance of equality and justice, he added that the development of society and the nation can only be achieved when the ruling government upholds equality, warning that lasting peace cannot be ensured otherwise.

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