Manipur hikes pay of VDF personnel after fortnight-long strike

Imphal: The Manipur government on Thursday announced a hike in the monthly honorarium of Village Defence Force (VDF) personnel, following a fortnight-long “Pen Down, Gun Down” strike by the community-based security volunteers.

An order issued by Mayengbam Veto Singh, Joint Secretary (Home), Government of Manipur, said the revised remuneration for VDF personnel has been fixed at Rs 14,400 per month, calculated at Rs 480 per day for 30 days.

The rate corresponds to the minimum wages notified by the Skill, Labour, Employment and Enterprises (SLEE) Department.

The revised pay will take effect from January 1, 2026, and includes a provision for an annual increment of Rs 500 for every completed year of service. The order stated that the revision was approved by the competent authority and carried out with the concurrence of the Finance Department (PIC).

The decision comes after VDF personnel across the state launched an indefinite strike, suspending both administrative and security duties, to press for several long-pending demands.

These include implementation of Section 18 of the Police Act, 1861, in line with VDF recruitment rules, regularisation of service, and a substantial increase in their honorarium.

There are currently around 10,050 VDF personnel in Manipur, whose services have been extended till March 2026.

The VDF Association had been demanding an increase in the monthly honorarium to Rs 30,000, from the earlier rate of Rs 10,500 VDFs play a crucial role in assisting the state police in maintaining law and order, particularly in rural and vulnerable areas of Manipur, amid ongoing security challenges in the state.