VDFs backed
Source: The Sangai Express

Moirang, May 13 2025: The Government must recognise the service being rendered by the Village Defence Force (VDF) and give them their demands immediately, people have said during protest demonstrations, organised at different places in Bishnupur district today.

The protest demonstrations at Kha Potsangbam Maning Main Canal and Tronglaobi Maning were organised in the wake of VDFs' ultimatum served to the Government to extend their service period.

The Village Defence Force has 10,050 strong personnel, and their service is extended every year by the State Home Department.

The service period of the VDF was last extended till March 31, 2025, and has not been extended further yet.

The All Manipur VDF Employees' Welfare Association had recently threatened to launch an indefinite "arms down" stir from May 15 .

A part of the State's security structure, VDF personnel are currently posted across several districts and in vulnerable areas amid the conflict between Meiteis and Kukis since May 3, 2023.During the protest demonstrations today, Meira Paibis and locals urged the Government to extend the service period of the VFD and give them their demands.

The VDF personnel have been guarding vulnerable and sensitive places across the valley districts since the conflict broke out in May 2023.If they lay down arms, these places would become vulnerable to attacks from Kuki militants, they said.

The Meira Paibis and the locals also urged the VDF to not lay down arms.

The Government must not allow the VDFs to lay down arms.

Their grievances must be addressed immediately for the security of the people, the Meira Paibis said.

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