The Assam Village Defence Organization (VDO) is a voluntary organization for community policing in Assam. It was established in 1949 by Late Harinarayan Barua, in Jorhat district in order to protect remote villages from anti social activitiessince there was shortage of manpower in Police force back then. This idea of voluntary village protection was spread to the neighbouring districts and gradually an organization known as the Village Defence Organization was formed. The concept of voluntary Village Defence is unique to the state of Assam. Late Harinarayan Baruah is considered and revered as the Founder of this organization which has now over 5 lacs of registered members and present in allthe districts of Assam. It has also earned recognition and sanction from the Government for the unflinching hard work and dedication of the volunteers. The function of the VD organization, its volunteers and office bearers are governed by the Assam Village Defence Organisation Act, 1966 and the Assam Village Defence Rules in 1986.
The principal objective of the Village Defence Organisation is to assist the Police in the maintenance of Law and Order, peace and tranquillity in the State.
Apart from the above, the following honorary functionaries are appointed by the Government and they are designated with the duty to motivate the volunteers, promote and popularize the concept and objectives of the Organization among the public:
There are various advisory committees which guide and regulate the functioning of the Organization at various levels in the districts
A VDP comprises of minimum 25 volunteers of a village and are responsible for safe guarding the area of that particular village jurisdiction. As on now, there are 22,881 nos. of registered VDPs and 3106 nos. of unregistered VDPs in Assam. Among these 1120 Registered and 518 unregistered VDPs are Women VDPs. The VDPs execute a wide range of duties:-
Most significantly, the VDPs are the first responders in any given situation – whether it is a riot, accident (road/rail), natural disaster (earthquake, floods etc.) since they are the grassroots level i.e. the basic unit of society. During times when no other government machinery can reach a scene of disaster, it is the VDPs who provide basic service in saving lives and bringing the situation under control.
From the year 2018, the Govt. of Assam has increased the remuneration of VDP to 2500/ per VDP per month to encourage and assist the registered VDPs. Following the SRE guidelines, this amount is now being disbursed in the individual Bank Account of the VDP volunteers from February 2018.
The VDP volunteers have been providing security to the OIL and ONGC pipelines and vital installations and assisting Police in preventing OIL theft. Selected VDPs of Barpeta, Morigaon, Tinsukia, Sivasagar, Golaghat, Kokrajhar, Dibrugarh, Sadiya, Nalbari, Cachar, Karimganj, Bongaigaon and Jorhat have been performing this duty and OIL and ONGC authority are paying an amount of Rs. 100.00 per day to these volunteers. It is pertinent to be mentioned that the Govt of Assam is pursuing the matter of proving Medical benefits and Insurance to these colunteers and an MoU is under process to be signed by the authority of OIL/ONGC and Village Defence Organisation.
In the year 2023, Honorarium of Hony. Chief Adviser, Hony. Adviser and Hony Dy. Adviser are increased as mentioned below:--
VDPs volunteers are entitled for the following equipment:
The government has also notified that 3 marks weightage shall be given for recruitment in the Home Guards to candidates who are members of a Village Defence Party.
Efforts are on to upgrade and modernize the Village Defence Organisation.
The proposal for amendment of Assam Village Defence Organisation Act 1966 is approved by the Assam Cabinet in 2024.
01% of Posts in Assam Police UB and 01% posts in AB constable recruitment, shall be reserved for Home Guard /VDP as per Govt of Assam OM No HMA 77/2023/75 dated 05-10-2023.
Additional relaxation of 03 years shall be given to candidates applying for AB/UB Constables at Assam Police for VDP members who have completed 03 years of service as VDP member in a registered VDP.
The complete database of VDP volunteers are prepared and it is upgraded regularly at Assam Police Headquarters.
In the year 2023-24, the account numbers of VDP volunteers are Aadhar linked and now disbursing of Out of Pocket money is under process.
The government has also notified that 3 marks weightage shall be given for recruitment in the Home Guards to candidates who are members of a Village Defence Party.
The new logo of VDP approved and unveiled by the Chief Minister of Assam in July 2023 during the Annual Conference of SsP of Assam.
During the financial year 2014-2015, in addition to the traditionally provided VDP equipments mentioned above, malaria treated mosquito nets and mobile handsets alongwith sim were provided to the VDPs by the government.
Construction of 100 (hundred) Meeting Halls for the VDPs at the Police Stations of 24 districts viz. Bongaigaon, Baksa, Barpeta, Bajali, Charaideo, Darrang, Dhemaji, Dhubri, Dima-Hasao, Dibrugarh, Golaghat, Hojai, Hailakandi, Jorhat, Kokrajhar, Karbi-Anglong, Morigaon, Nalbari, Nagaon, Sivasagar, Sadiya, Sonitpur, Tinsukia and Udalguri are done. This is in addition to the 67 Meeting Halls all over the state previously constructed by the district authorities.
Several other schemes and proposals are on active consideration of the government in order to upgrade and modernize the Village Defence Organisation.Some of these are:
Training of VDP volunteers on Disaster management is held in 2018.
There is provision of granting an Ex-gratia of Rs. 3 lakhs to the Next of Kin of VDP volunteer who died during extremists related incident and Rs. 2 lakhs who died in other incidents during duty.
The Chief Minister, Assam, grants Rs. 1 (one) lakh to the next of kin of VDP volunteer who died on duty
230228 numbers of VDP volunteers have participated in Amrit BrikhyaAndolon on 17 September 2023 to complete the 01 crore sapling in one day project. This project of the State Govt of India was awarded a certificate from the Guinness Book of World Record.
In the year 2022, the VDP members in Assam have lodged 1774 no. FIRs against Child Marriage cases in various districts of Assam.
The Village Defence Organization is a concept unique to the state of Assam. A small unit started as GaonrakhyiBahiniin one village of Assam has now become a strong Organization with a strength of over 5 Lacs of volunteers serving in all the districts of Assam. It has been an inseparable part of Assam Police in prevention and detection of Crime. VDP is also considered as eyes and ears of the Assam Police. Each year, the January 29th is observed as VDP Foundation Day and a Convention is organized every year centrally at a chosen venue, which is graced by various dignitaries and representatives of the Organisation from all over the State. Representatives from VDPs across the state interact and share their views and experiences here so that the organization becomes stronger and more efficient in assisting Assam Police in maintaining peace, law and order.
To download the VDO act, 1966, Click Here
To view the VDO Report, 2013-15, Click Here