VDC men unsettled by war at home

As night engulfs Chilladanga village, Chain Singh, 50, faces a stiff resistance from his wife and children who dissuade him from going out on patrolling. They confront him on putting his life in danger. But, Singh would not listen saying he is going on a hunting spree with friends so that “you can enjoy a sound sleep”.

Farmers by profession, Chain and his fellow villagers who have joined the VDCs, today spend most of their time in conducting search and raid operations with Army and security forces. This new assignment has not only affected the crop but also put a question mark on their living. Since they got recruited in VDCs, family members are finding it difficult to keep the kitchen-fire burning.

Fifty-five-year-old Gian Chand’s case is no better. Picking up the rusted .303 rifle, he goes out to patrol the ravines in order to check the movement of militants in the area. Many a times, he did not have had a drop of water while working with army and security forces.

Despite such hardships what keeps them in this “risky” job? “The day you decide to fight militants you are their enemy. The question of leaving this force does not arise as without weapons you and your family will be wiped out within no time,” says Karam Chand, 45, a VDC member from Parthiayal village.

He blamed the state government for not doing anything for their welfare. “Mere lip-service won’t help us. We may have received pats on our backs and commendations after conducting successful operations from security forces and politicians, but the truth is that government is yet to pay us our pending honorarium,” he adds.

“Senior police officials or ministers often announce monthly-salary for us, but, the promise is never kept later,” rues Kartar Singh, a VDC member from Sapowal.

Government apathy apart, the VDC men are sore about the difficulties their families are facing back home.

Admits Gain Chand,“After taking up this job, we have forgotten family responsibilities as most of the time we are out of our homes and busy in keeping trail of militants.”

“Our family life is shattered as most of the time we are out with the army. Many a times I would like to discuss family matters but there is no one to listen to,” says Shanti Devi, Gian’s wife.

But most of the womenfolk forget their anger once they see their husbands return home. “We feel we are lucky if our husbands return. Many of our sisters woke up to miseries as they had to receive their husbands’ bodies,” said Gyano Devi in a choked voice.