Newmai News Network
Imphal | July 25
The agitating Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel in Manipur have threatened on Saturday to further intensify their ongoing agitation if their demands are not met by the State government by July 30, 2020. The VDF personnel are on "arms down-pen down" cease-work strike since July 16 under the aegis of All Manipur VDF Welfare Association. They are demanding regularisation of their service, keeping service security and payment of 13 months salaries. They alleged that the State government had failed to give a positive response to their demands which was included in a memorandum submitted on July 7 last. Currently, they are getting Rs 7,500 with Rs 2,000 as ration money per month even though the state cabinet had approved an increment of monthly salary of VDF to Rs 9,500 and ration money to Rs 2,000.
Even though arms and ammunition were issued to them after imparting basic knowledge of firearms, safety, handling and others, they are deprived from receiving Arms Allowance which the police department is providing to the police personnel, the VDF personnel said. They also said that the VDF personnel have been performing the same duty like police/Manipur Rifles/ Indian Reserve Battalion for the entire day.
