Jammu: Members of the Village Defence Guards (VDGs), an Indian Army-sponsored militia in Indian Illegally Occupied Jammu and Kashmir, are currently undergoing specialized training in Rajouri district. The training aims to enhance their capability to target the Muslim communities advocating for their right to self-determination.
According to Kashmir Media Service, the Indian occupation authorities have been focusing efforts on strengthening the VDGs to suppress the Muslim populations in the hilly regions of the Jammu area. The training session conducted near the Line of Control in the Nowshera sub-division included exercises in weapon handling, maintenance, and firing accuracy, with participants practicing on designated shooting ranges.
The Village Defence Guards, which were previously known as Village Defence Committees, are prevalent in several districts of Jammu including Rajouri, Poonch, Doda, Kishtwar, and Ramban. These groups, known for their Hindutva affiliations, have been implicated in numerous human rights violations dating back to the 1990s, including the targeted killings of Muslim youth, destruction of property, and violence against women within the Muslim community.