Chizokho Vero
Kohima | March 1
The role and contribution of Village Guards (VG) over the past 50 years covering the districts of Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Meluri sub-division of Phek district, drew wide apreciation during its Golden Jubilee celebration here today. “My dear Village Guards, you have, over the years, earned several laurels for your loyalty and bravery,” said Governor K. Sankaranarayanan in his address as the chief guest. The Governor asserted that their service for the cause of peace and security of the people was well-appreciated.
Today, Sankaranarayanan said, as the 50th anniversary of the raising of Village Guards is being celebrated, the role of the Village Guards needs to be re-appraised and expanded in the present context. “The Village Guards can also play an important role in disaster management for which suitable training and skills could be imparted to them,” Sankaranarayanan opined.
Let this Golden jubilee herald an expanded vision of your role which I am sure you will perform well with loyalty, courage and sense of duty, the Governor added.
“Fifty years ago, when the insurgents attacked Pangsha village in Tuensang, the idea of raising a force to protect the villagers from the insurgents was conceived by Major R. Kathing of the Indian Frontier Administrative Service. Major M.B Rai organized and raised the force, called the Tuensang Frontier Scouts in those days,” the Governor stated and acknowledged their efforts, wherein today the force has rose up to almost 10,000 spread over five districts of the state.
Complementing the achievement made by VGs over the last 50 years, Chief Minister Rio informed that the Government of India and the state government have been making an effort to strengthen the VG by undertaking training and modernization.
Rio also called upon the VGs to continue to do the yeoman services and protect the villagers.
“Today the Village Guards are better organized, trained for both physical fitness and disciplining as well as for modern weapon handling,” said T.N.Mannen, Additional Chief Secretary & Commissioner & Commandant General Village Guard, adding that they are more confident and focused clearly on what that are expected to do.
“The Village Guards today are shaping up as a Versatile Volunteer Force having the flexibility to perform multifarious role as defenders and protectors at the time of trouble and threats to the villages. And as change agents at the time of peace for socio economic prosperity of the people,” he added.
He said the VGs are simple village folk but are devoted to their duties that they have proved themselves to be the real asset to the society. In this remote inaccessible villages along with Indo-Myanmar border, the district administration was greatly assisted by the VGs.
“Without their presence, maintenance of law and order will be difficult in those areas,” said VG Commander General and further claimed that the people have tremendous confidence in them.
They are local trustees and guardians. They thus deservingly earned their nickname as “Guardian of the Frontier Villages.”
In the last 50 years, it has grown into a formidable force of 9600 strong fully trained and armed for the service of the people and spread over the five districts along the Indo-Myanmar frontiers, namely Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire, Longleng and Phek.
It has come a long way traveling many tough roads, nevertheless, they have so far not failed to measure up to the expectation at any point of time.
“Thought they are not adequately armed, on many occasions, they have defended their villages from insurgent attacks making many sacrifices with their lives in the line of duties, said Mannen adding that in the process many of them had earned gallantry awards and other laurels for their bravery in the defence of the people. So far, as many as 24 Ashok Chakra of different categories and many other awards for valuable contributions have been received.
In the last few years coinciding with the formation of the present DAN government the revamping of the VGs had also begun. Many new reforms had been introduced.
Amongst them, their goals is now defined more clearly which can been seen in their motto to serve the people with utmost courage in pursuance of justice without any distinction on the basis of tribes, sex, color and so on.
In order to inculcate unity and harmonious co-existence, amongst the Village Guards fraternity, irrespective of their different tribal background, the Raising Day celebration is organized each year on March 1 on rotation basis amongst the districts headquarters having VGs.
In the last 2 years about 4000 numbers of arms mostly 303 Rifles have been procured and provided to almost all the VGs. More vigorous training are imparted to the ranks and files. New flag and badge defining the Village Guard motto and identity have been adopted. The government has enhanced their honorarium from Rs. 250 to Rs. 500 from 2004 and a new uniform is being introduced from this year besides other facilities have also been improved, said the Commandant General.
Referring to the background of the VG, Mannen said “In fact, the Nagaland Village Guard is the product of circumstances, organized as a counter-insurgency measure. 50 years ago, Pangsha village was attacked by UG who mercilessly killed 9 persons including women and children for the simple reason that the village was not fully amenable to the insurgent’s command. The villagers had with whatever weapons they had, defended themselves against the force armed with sophisticated weapons and not only gallantly stood their ground but beaten the attackers inflicting heavy casualties. That was how this brave dedicated volunteer Force was born with 300 half-clad rural volunteers with 12 bore guns designating them as the Tuensang Frontier Scouts. This formation was made with the approval of the Government of India through the Ministry of External Affairs (MEA) which was looking after the administration of these areas then.”
Their main purpose was to defend the villages and protect its people and properties.
Apart from other secondary role of providing road patrolling, assist district administration and to act as guides whenever required, Mannen added.
In recognition of their commendable and performance and sacrifices, the government awarded 50th years anniversary medals and certificates to those past and present VG personnel and other officers who were and are intimately associated with the affairs of the organization.
Exhibition stalls, release of souvenir, memento, awarding Golden jubilee medals and certificates, march pass by VG contingents, interaction with the Governor, dinner hosted by Chief Minister were also part of the celebration.
