No women VDCs in Kulali, Marah
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Kulali Marah-Surankote (Poonch), July 27
No women village defence committee (VDC) exist in the Kulali and Marah areas of Surankote tehsil in this frontier district. However, women know how to use the arms to protect themselves from militant attacks.

The women are being given lessons in self-defence by the Army, police and their family members, who are part of the VDC.

Police records assessed by The Tribune at the Surankote police station show that no rifles had been issued to women in the area. The records point out that 168 rifles had been issued, including 150 .303 rifles. Besides, 18 SLR rifles had been issued to the VDCs in the Kulali and Marah areas.

However, of the 168 rifles, not a single woman has been issued a weapon. The record further suggests that two women, Nazeera Begum and Shamim Akhter, who are not part of any VDC, have been issued .303 rifles. Surprisingly, both women are not residents of the area and instead hail from Danidhara village.

“As per our records there is no VDC in our area. However some of the women have received training from their family members, police, Army, and the local VDC members,” a police constable posted at the local police post claimed.

“We also have reports that some of the women are using weapons issued in the name of their family members,” he added.