Rajouri: A Village Defence Committee (VDC) member from Bai Nambal village in Rajouri has allegedly committed suicide by shooting himself with a 303 rifle issued to him as a part of the defense committee.
The deceased has been identified as Suresh Kumar Sharma, son of Sukhdev Sharma.
On Monday night, he committed suicide with his weapon issued to him as a part of the VDC system, J&K Police said in a statement.
Police have started an investigation and legal proceedings into the matter and a case stands registered at Kandi police station in Pir Panjal’s Rajouri district, reads the statement.
Village Defence Guards (VDG), earlier called VDC (Village Defence Committee) was formed by the government of India in the mid-90s to fight militancy along the remote mountainous areas of Pir Panchal, Chenab, and Jammu regions including Kishtwar, Doda, Reasi, Ramban, Poonch, and Rajouri districts.
Then, some of the VDC members were found involved in several criminal cases.
In March 2022, the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) revived it along the same belt.
(KNO)
