Guwahati, Sept. 15: Director-general of police Mukesh Sahay said the Assam government was committed to the welfare of village defence personnel (VDP) in the state and inducting more women into the force.

'The force would be upgraded and organised with changing time and need so that it can overcome challenges and obstacles,' Sahay said.

Sahay was the chief guest at the closing ceremony of the training programme of women VDP at Home Guard Training Centre in Panikhaiti here.

Paying tribute to VDP founder Harinarayan Baruah, Sahay said VDP plays an active role in collaborating with police in villages.

'The VDP has also helped villagers in times of natural calamity,' he said.

Recalling the role of women VDP, Sahay said they have to create awareness on social issues as well as prevent superstition, drug abuse, witch-hunting, human trafficking from spreading their roots in the villages.

The training programme for women VDP started on September 1.

As many as 59 women trainees took part in the programme.

The trainees learned about preventive measures at times of natural disaster, safeguarding of public property and learned about Village Defence Organization (VDO) Act, 1966.

Additional director-general of homeguards and civil defence B.K. Mishra, inspector-general (administration) Pradip Chandra Xaloi, chief adviser Anjan Kumar Bora, chief of central homeguards and civil defence training institute Subhas Chandra Das were also present.