For first time, J-K to train, arm youths in migrant camps

Police said the VDCs had been planned following Intelligence inputs about possible militant strikes on the camps once the durbar shifts to Jammu. “Nothing can be ruled out. Militants are always after soft targets,” said S.P. Vaid, Deputy Inspector General of Police, Jammu-Kathua range.

Senior Superintendent of Police (Jammu) R.S. Swain has been authorised to select members for the committees. Swain said representatives of the camp at Muthi recently met him and that they are yet to finalise the selection process for training.

“Like in the past, we will visit a particular place and ask the senior citizens to recommend names.” He explained that physical standards are no criteria for the selection. “What we need from the recruits is motivation and a secular outlook,” he said.

Vaid said that at present a policeman is posted at all the camps. “This is not sufficient. We had no other option but to train and arm the unemployed youth from the camps to strengthen their security,” Vaid added.

The Pandits are, however, not enthused. They want the government to recruit the youth as SPOs rather than induct them as VDCs. “The government should at least consider that our youth are educated. They should be appointed as SPOs so that they can earn enough to support their families,” said a migrant at the Purkhoo camp.

Ajay Chrungoo, chairman, Panun Kashmir, expressed unhappiness over the delay. He said the police should have set up the VDCs long ago. “The Pandits have been highlighting the atrocities committed by the so-called jehadis and that makes them vulnerable to militant attacks,” he said.