Dhangri Massacre: Process begins to strengthen VDCs in Rajouri-Poonch. Physical checking of VDC weapons, special focus on vulnerable areas: DIG Dr. Haseeb Mughal. One company of CRPF deployed in Dhangri area.

GNSONLINE RAJOURI
SHYAM SOOD

RAJOURI, JANUARY 05:– In the aftermath of the Dhangri twin terror incidents (massacre) in which 6 persons lost their lives, including a 4-year-old boy & 16-year-old girl, and on the demand of the people the police administration has initiated quick measures to reactivate & strengthen the Village Defence Committees.
Meanwhile, a company of CRPF has also reached Dhangri village on Thursday for the safety and security of the people in Dhangri and for about 15 other Panchayats in the area.
Acting swiftly on directions from higher authorities, the police department on Thursday organised special camps in each Police Station across Rajouri district to check the weapons (.303 guns), & ammunition issued to VDC members because most of the VDCs were defunct for the last many years.
It was also decided to issue the weapons to those VDC members who had surrendered their guns.
One such camp was also held at village Dhangri where the VDC members from about 15 adjoining Panchayats got their weapons checked by the police experts.
The authorities repaired the defective guns and also replaced the rusted ammunition & magazines.
The lists were also prepared for those who want to join the VDCs and for the ex-servicemen living in Dhangri and adjoining areas.
The government has decided to provide SLR guns to the ex-servicemen for the protection/safety reactivation of their respective areas and also to train the VDC members.
At present, there are 72 VDC weapons in Dhangri area and about 200 ex-servicemen/ retired from Para Military forces.
“We are ready to defeat the nefarious design of terrorists who, after facing a tough time in Kashmir valley in the hands of SFs are hell-bent upon tarnishing the images of SFs and creating a divide between both the communities in Rajouri-Poonch district and Dhangri incident is a glaring example,” said an ex-serviceman (name withheld).
“It has been decided to activate all the (paid, non-paid) VDCs in both the border districts of Rajouri & Poonch. All the SHOs shall carry the physical checking of the weapons issued to VDC members. Defected weapons and rusted ammunition will be repaired/replaced with new ones” said Dr. Haseeb Mughal, DIG, Rajouri-Poonch police Range.
“In the ongoing camps besides physical checking of the weapons the focus is also on reorienting existing VDC members’ training prowess and skills in weapon handling and formation of VDCs in vulnerable areas,” said DIG.
It is pertinent to mention here that 683 VDCs are functioning in Rajouri district with 52o6 members.
Out of 683 VDCs, 420 are Hindu groups, 30 are Muslim groups and 233 VDCs are members of both communities.
All the intelligence agencies, whether Central or of UT of J&K, are on their toes to develop authentic/specific information about two terrorists involved in the Dhangri massacre for their early elimination before they could strike in another minority area.