IMPHAL, March 25 � Manipur police fired tear gas shells when Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel took out a protest rally and marched to the Chief Minister�s bungalow today. Police also picked up around seven leaders of the association.
The VDF personnel had warned of intensifying their arms-down strike to general strike if the government failed to heed their demands. Expressing discontentment over the State Government�s lack of response to their charter of demands, the association threatened to proceed with a general strike in valley areas and economic blockade in hill districts if the government failed to respond by March 30.
The association of VDF has been demanding hike of honorarium, separate battalion for VDF personnel, and 13-month pay, among other demands. � Correspondent
