Jammu, Aug 14 (IANS) A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member was killed and another seriously injured when their colleague opened fire at them in J&K’s Udhampur district on Friday, officials said.
The incident occurred in the Moungri area of Udhampur.
Officials said the incident occurred in the morning when the persons were travelling towards Damnot Police Post.
During the journey, an argument reportedly broke out, following which the accused opened fire at them, killing one and
The deceased was identified as Baldev Singh, son of Karta Singh, and the injured as Romesh Singh, son of Nak Ram.
“All the persons involved in the incident are members of the VDC,” the official said, adding that police have taken cognisance of the incident and further investigation is underway.
Village Defence Committees (VDCs), now officially renamed Village Defence Guards (VDGs), are civilian security groups established in the mid-1990s across remote, hilly areas of Jammu and Kashmir to protect vulnerable local populations and counter militant attacks.
Formed initially in 1995 under a state government scheme to provide local self-defence capabilities in far-flung areas, the VDCs consist of local volunteers, ex-servicemen, and ex-policemen, led in many cases by a Special Police Officer (SPO).
Members are typically provided with .303 or modern rifles and ammunition rounds by the police.
The VDCs function under the direct operational supervision of the local district Superintendent of Police (SP/SSP).
The structure was revised and formally notified as VDGs by the Ministry of Home Affairs to strengthen the security grid against infiltration and targeted threats.
Designated group leaders receive an honorarium of Rs 4,500 per month, while regular members receive Rs 4,000 per month.
–IANS
sq/vd
