SRINAGAR: Jammu and Kashmir Police have commenced the weapon training of women Village Defence Group (VDG) members in the Doda district in response to reports indicating attempts by Pakistan-backed militants to rekindle armed insurgency in the region, The Tribune reported.
Doda, a region with a history of numerous massacres during the peak of terrorism, is witnessing the empowerment of women through training in firing guns, weapon servicing, area domination, and patrolling sensitive areas.
Pooja Devi, a 32-year-old VDG member, as per a report in The Tribune said that the urgency for women to acquire firearm skills due to the absence of male members in villages during the day. She cited the brutal Kulhand massacre, where 35 people were killed by militants, as a poignant reminder of the need for self-defence.
Geeta Devi, another woman at 34, emphasised the voluntary participation of women in arms training to safeguard their villages when the need arises.
“Presently, at least 250 armed and trained women VDG members are prepared to combat terrorists in the district,” said Doda Senior Superintendent of Police Abdul Qayoom.
The Ministry of Home Affairs approved the formation of Village Defence Groups (VDGs) in the Union Territory in March last year, designating members as Village Defence Guards who receive remuneration from the government.
Qayoom noted that alongside men, women guards are receiving training in using their weapons effectively in times of need. With 875 Village Defence Groups in the district comprising nearly 6000 members, the significance of women in protecting their villages is underscored.
The revival of Village Defence Committees (VDC) into VDG became imperative after ultras killed seven members of the Hindu community in Dhangri village, Rajouri, in January last year. The VDGs are actively trained at firing ranges in Doda town, Bhaderwah, and the Gandoh area, marking a strategic effort to strengthen local defence mechanisms.
