IMPHAL, July 2: Trinamool Congress leader Dr I Ibohalbi Singh today questioned the unruly conduct of Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel among the general public and also pressed for a different set of uniform so as to distinguish them from the police.
The issue was raised by Dr Ibohalbi during question hour.
Replying to his queries Home Minister Gaikhangam said, there are presently 10,049 personnel deployed in the state, among which 481 personnel have been replaced. The replacement of the vacant VDF posts was carried out by under orders and approval of the DGP.
The districtwise deputation of the VDF are 2050 for Imphal East,2050 at Imphal West, 2500 at Thoubal, 1350 at Bishnupur, 600 at Churachandpur, 300 at Chandel,300 at Ukhrul,559 at Senapati and 300 at Tamenglong.
Raising supplementaries to the Home Minister’s answer Dr Ibohalbi demanded placing of the Home Minister’s letter authorizing replacement of the VDF personnel.
Minister Gaikhangam said, 481 VDF personnel had left the force on grounds of health among other issues. However, he clarified that he could not comply with the opposition leader’s demand for placing the letter as of today.
Ibohanbi further alleged that the VDF has been doing the duties of the regular police and their behavior to the public has become questionable. He urged the concerned minister to give a different set of uniforms for the VDF to prevent misuse of their police uniforms.
Gaikhangam replied that the VDF has been deployed to check unwanted activities, especially related to antisocial elements and to aid the police regardingly. The minister also stated that to look into the matter of providing different uniforms for the VDF.
Meanwhile the Chief Minister said, work in the five RLI schemes of Khurai assembly constituency is under progress and they will be made operational within this year. He was replying to Congress MLA and Khurai representative Dr Ng Bijoy Singh’s question.
Health minister Phungzathang Tonsing replying to a starred question from MLA M Kunjo stated that a barrack type quarter of Hiyanglam Primary Health Centre is presently under construction at a cost of Rs 71,08,481 being funded by the National Rural Health Mission (NHRM).
The minister in response to a query from M Prithviraj about the infrastructure works pertaining to Kwakta PHSC stated that the centre was upgraded on December 2011 from and the building of the centre has been proposed to the NHRM. After completion, the necessary infrastructure will be maintained, he said.