Imphal: The Manipur government has approved a one-year extension for the services of 10,500 Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel, continuing their deployment across the state until March 31, 2026, officials confirmed on Friday.
According to Joint Secretary of the Home Department, Mayengbam Veto Singh, the decision underscores the vital role VDF members play in assisting the Manipur Police in maintaining public safety and law and order.
The VDF, established as an auxiliary support unit, has become an essential component in community-level security and counter-insurgency efforts, especially in sensitive areas.
“As per the terms of engagement, VDF personnel are initially appointed for a year, with provisions for extensions based on the state’s security needs. This decision was taken following a careful assessment of current requirements,” Singh said.
The extension was officially approved during a meeting of the Governor-in-Council held on Thursday at Raj Bhavan, chaired by Governor Ajay Kumar Bhalla.
Chief Secretary Prashant Kumar Singh and senior officials from various departments also participated in the session, which focused on governance reforms, infrastructure development, and enhancing service delivery mechanisms.
VDF personnel continue to serve as a crucial force in safeguarding villages and supporting the police in managing law and order, especially in conflict-prone regions.
Their presence is particularly significant in peripheral and insurgency-affected areas, where they assist in protecting civilians and ensuring stability.
The extension comes amid rising concerns among VDF members over job security and remuneration.
Recently, the All Manipur VDF Employees’ Welfare Association had threatened to launch protests, demanding both a service extension and an increase in their monthly honorarium.
Officials noted that the government remains aware of these concerns and is working toward improving the welfare of the VDF personnel, given their indispensable contribution to the state’s internal security framework.
