Exempt VDP members from witness duties: VDPCNA to DGP

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaOctober 31, 2024

The Village Defence Primary Committee Nongstoin Area (VDPCNA) has requested the intervention of the Director General of Police (DGP) Idashisha Nongrang into the challenges faced by the committee in assisting the police in tackling crimes and maintaining law and order in the region.

A memorandum in this regard was submitted by the delegation of the VDPCNA to the DGP during a meeting held at the police headquarters here on Thursday.

President of the VDPCNA Mawkordor Kharsyiemlieh said the committee is faced by challenges since its inception in 2019.

He stated that the VDPCNA has diligently worked to minimize crime and anti-social activities within our area and consistently collaborated with the police department of West Khasi Hills in apprehending criminals. We have conducted joint patrols with the police department in the Nongstoin market area, along the NH and in bypass areas where disturbances frequently occur. Despite our best efforts, certain crimes and disturbances continue to persist, creating challenges for the VDPCNA, he added.

Urging the need to exempt VDP members from witness duties, Kharsyiemlieh said, “That when the VDPCNA apprehends drug or liquor peddlers and hands them over to the police department, our members are often called as witnesses in related cases. This requirement is challenging, as our members are volunteers who must also tend to their daily responsibilities to support their families. In this regard, we humbly request that VDPCNA members be exempted from witness duties and that the police department take the necessary steps in this matter.”

He said that committee also requested uniforms labelled with VDPCNA to help distinguish our members from the public adding “this would instil confidence during raids and patrols.”

The committee has also urged the DGP to look into the delay in processing the honorarium to the VDP members.

“The several VDP units at the village level have been waiting registration since 2010, preventing them from accessing honorariums, tools and kits provided by the police department. We are particularly concerned about the delays in processing honorariums due to the rigid renewal system. We kindly request your intervention to streamline the registration and renewal process for these committees so that may receive the benefits intended for them,” Kharsyiemlieh stated.

Stating that the VDPCNA is committed to addressing drug abuse, public drinking, street fighting and violent crime, which have occurred in the heart of Nongstoin town, he said, “We propose regular night patrols along the main roads of Nongstoin Town, the installation of CCTV cameras and stricter enforcement against illegal alcohol sales.”