IMPHAL, Feb 12 : Although the state government has established Village Defence Force (VDF), still the VDF volunteers are still not provided arms or barracks making them and their village still vulnerable to harassment by militants.
Many complained to the media today that activities of militants remain unchecked.
The 300 VDF who were trained at the Manipur Police Training Centre are all staying at their own homes as their barracks have not been constructed.
They however said roll calls and physical training for the VDF is being held every morning and evening at a play ground in Heirok conducted by a outpost of the 3rd IRB in the area.
Even though there is a ban on the militants from entering Heirok the activities of the militants are still going on as the VDF are not functioning.
On February 7 night a suspected militant threatened the public of Heirok brandishing a gun.
They said though the locals and Meira Paibis managed to grab the gun the person fled the scene.
The captured gun was handed over to a patrolling team of the Imphal east commandos, they said.
Ninthoujam Rajmani, 48, son of Nupamacha of Heituppokpi who was threatened narrated his ordeal to the media that on the night of February 7 around 10 pm a suspected prepak cadre from the area pointed a gun at him without any reason.
He ran home to save himself and informed his family members and neighbourhood who chased the person and captured his gun while the person fled away. The 9 mm pistol along with 10 live rounds were handed over to a patrolling team of the Imphal east police commandos.
Expressing deep concern the locals said the police had not said a single word regarding the incident and blamed the IRB stationed at the area of not performing their duty well.
A jemandar of the 3rd IRB post at Heirok told the media that the personnel of his unit patrol the vilage in the morning at 6.30 am, afternoon between 2 pm and 5 pm, and night at 9 pm.
On the other hand, personnel of the VDF expressed that they had come out to protect the people of Heirok and they could not perform their desired works as their living barracks and arms were not given to them and they were functionless causing anxiety to them.
They urged the government to look into the matter urgently.