Jammu: Indian army and police have trained 85 Village Defence Guards from villages in the Jammu region, a step that has raised concern among observers due to the past record of such groups in violence against Muslim civilians. The training took place at the District Police Lines in Jammu under the supervision of Senior Superintendent of Police Joginder Singh.
According to details shared by officials, the VDG members belong to Arnia, RS Pura and Kanachak areas located near the Working Boundary and the Line of Control. The programme focused on arms handling, combat drills, self defence skills, bunker construction and response methods during attacks described by authorities as enemy actions. Specialised trainers conducted the sessions with the stated aim of preparing the VDGs as first responders during emergencies.
Police officials stated that participants welcomed the training. Authorities also upgraded weapons from .303 rifles to self loading rifles. Officials claimed this step forms part of a multi layered security strategy aimed at maintaining long term peace in the region.
Political observers and human rights activists expressed alarm over the move. They recalled the history of Village Defence Committees, earlier versions of the VDGs, which faced repeated allegations of attacks, intimidation and killings of Muslim civilians during the 1990s and early 2000s. Rights groups documented misuse of weapons, communal targeting and lack of accountability linked to these armed groups.
Analysts warned that fresh arming and combat training in a heavily militarised and communally sensitive region risks civilian safety. They argued that reliance on armed civilian groups deepens fear among Muslim residents. Critics also viewed the move as part of a broader policy of relying on civilian proxies in Indian illegally occupied Jammu and Kashmir instead of addressing underlying political issues.
