4000 turn out for VDF rally

IMPHAL, Feb 16 : On the opening day of the rally held for recruitment of 1200 VDF (Village Defence Force) personnel in three districts of the valley today, more than 4000 youths turned out for the same.A total of 1550 VDF personnel will be recruited for the four valley districts. District-wise strength of VDF is 500 for Thoubal and 350 each for Imphal East, Imphal West and Bishnupur.Although recruitment rallies had been held for Imphal West, Thoubal and Bishnupur today, recruitment rally for Imphal East will be held tomorrow at Hatta Kangjeibung.At the recruitment rally held for Imphal West at 2nd Bn MR parade ground today, more than 700 youths turned out for the same. DGP Y Joykumar came to the 2nd MR compound and directly oversaw the recruitment rally.Talking to mediapersons, Imphal West SSP L Kailun who is also chairman of the district’s recruitment board, said that more than 800 youths applied for recruitment in VDF. Against these, a little more than 700 turned out for the rally, he said. ‘Initial’ service period of the VDF is one year. But this may be extended according to requirements, the SSP said while adding that candidates selected for VDF would be given one month training at Manipur Police Training School.VDFs who would be attached to police stations and MR/IRB posts would be given monthly remuneration of Rs 3000. In addition, they will be provided ration and uniform, the SSP said.Physical tests for recruitment of VDFs include 800 m race, long jump and push-up.For Thoubal, the number of youth who came out for the recruitment rally at Khangabok BASU ground was around 2700, informed Thoubal SP Clay Khongsai.Notably, 300 SPOs have been inducted at Heirok in Thoubal district. The SPOs were set up in response to the demand of Heirok people to give them weapons for self defence after three persons including two girls were gunned down by PREPAK cadres at a Thabal Chongba venue at Heirok Part II Laikon in the night of March 24 last year.For 350 approved posts of VDF for Bishnupur district, more than 700 youths took part in the recruitment rally held at Bishnupur mini stadium, informed Bishnupur SP K Jayenta.Earlier the State Government decided to recruit more SPOs for the four valley districts but a Cabinet meeting held on January 28 resolved to rename the SPO (excluding those of Heirok) as VDF.