Manipur CM assures to address VDF grievances

Our Correspondent
Imphal, March 6 (EMN): While acknowledging the grievances of Village Defence Force (VDF), Manipur Chief Minister, Nongthombam Biren Singh, has assured to look into the matter in due course of time after taking into account of the state financial position.

Singh made this assurance while speaking at the VDF 12th state-level raising day celebration held at the auditorium of Manipur State Film Development Society in Imphal on Saturday.

Singh stated that the government had already hiked the honorarium of VDF personnel to INR 8,500 and ration money to INR 2000 understanding their nature of duty and acknowledging their contribution towards maintaining law and order in the state. Speculating tendency among some organisations in Manipur to take the government at ransom to meet their demands, he stated that such practices should be avoided as nothing good could be achieved by stopping performing duties in protest or to fulfil a demand.

Singh also asked the high ranking officers of Manipur police department not to use VDF personnel in their personal works and indulge in activity which might hurt their dignity. Stating that the present government always fulfils genuine demands, Singh urged the VDF personnel to join hands in checking the wrongdoers.          

Singh also felicitated meritorious VDF personnel by presenting mementos during the function which was attended by minister O Henery, MP Dr. RK Ranjan, DGP LM Khaute, additional DGP C Doungel, All Manipur VDF Welfare Association chief advisor Wangkhemcha Shamjai and publisher of the Morning Bell L Bashanta Sharma.