VDF to launch 'arms down' stir from May 15
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 10 2025: Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel across the State will launch an indefinite "arms down" stir from May 15, said the All Manipur VDF Employees' Welfare Association today.

The stir, against non-extension of service period, will begin at 6 am of May 15 .

There will be no relaxation for any group.

All personnel currently posted at vulnerable areas must return to their respective parent units/police stations, the association has said.

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.

Notably, the All Manipur VDF Employees' Welfare Association had earlier warned of agitation if the Government and authorities concerned didn't extend the service period by April 10.It had asserted that the VDF personnel may not get their due monthly honorarium without extension of the service period.

In a statement issued today, the All Manipur VDF Employees' Welfare Association said despite repeated appeals and representations submitted to the authorities concerned, the service period of the VDF has not been extended even after a month of expiry of the service.

It said the association had urged the Government to extend the service period, regularise the force and raise honorarium.

The Government has not yet given any response, and this has forced the association to launch an "indefinite arms down and pen down" stir from 6 am of May 15, said the association.

Significantly, the Village Defence Force has been part of the security structure in place to maintain law and order in the State.

Amid the conflict since May 3, 2023, VDF personnel are posted at sensitive and vulnerable areas of the State.

A VDF personnel gets an honorarium of around Rs 10,500 per month.

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