The Village Defense Parties of Cachar have been actively and dedicatedly acting as the bridge between the police and the common folks. A workers meet was organised at the Janata College, Kabuganj under aegis of Sonail, Dholai and Kochuadam VDPs. In the meeting held recently, Minister Parimal Shuklabaidya applauded the Cachar VDPs for their excellent dedication and emphasized on their importance.
The meeting was convened by the principal in-charge of Janata college, Subhaschandra Nath where minister Suklabaidya said, “the Sarad Utsav and Muharram both have passed very peacefully without any untoward incidences. I congratulate the police department and the village defense parties. Our aim was to promote the VDPs which will work as the extended arms of the law and order departments. A strict check has been put on drug dealers, drunk hooligans, anti-social elements who run illegal gambling and liquor rackets. The meteoric rise of the VDPs has earned laurels even at Dispur and the higher authorities are very satisfied as the society is undergoing a positive change under the leadership of prime minister Narendra Modi and chief minister Sarbananda Sonwal.”
Meanwhile, the government is following a strict zero tolerance policy against any sort of anti-social elements. Minister Suklabaidya also assured that a VDP hall will be created in Dholai area very soon as demanded by the VDP.
Also speaking on the occasion, Cachar Deputy Commissioner Dr S Laxanan said, “once I was posted as the civil SDO at Sadiya where the VDPs played a major role in controlling the anti-social activities in the area. In the year 1949, Harinarayan Barua formed the VDP and after being recognized by the Assam government in 1950, the self-help group has been playing an outstanding role for the past 67 years.
Cachar Superintendent of Police, Rakesh Roushan said, “the VDPs are an extention of the police force. They are the lifeline of the department as they work from the grass root level. A lot of them are our potential sources and act as informants for the department. Despite of the herculean task that they carry out, they just get peanuts. Earlier the VDP workers were given a remuneration of mere Rs 500 which is presently Rs 1500. But the government is intending to raise the salary to Rs 3000.”
He further added, “most of our mindset is still like the British period, people are still afraid to go to the police. But we are working for you all. I assure that if anyone has any complaints and is not satisfied with the reciprocation at the local police station level, everyone is free to meet me at any point of time. I am always available for anyone in trouble or need assistance from police.”
The deputy advisor to VDP, Asish Haldar spoke briefly about the life of Harinarayan Barua who is the founding father of the organisation. The program was coordinated by Monibhushan Choudhury which ended with a theatrical play.
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