Jammu, June 13: Jammu and Kashmir Minister for Health and Medical Education Lal Singh today said the government would provide weapons to village defence committees (VDCs) in remote areas to fight militants. Addressing a meeting at Sadrota village in Kathua district, where militants had gunned down four Hindus on June 7, Singh said: "We will strengthen VDCs and provide weapons to them to fight the menace of militancy."

The minister announced ex-gratia of Rs one lakh to the next of kin of each of those killed.

He said the killing was a "desperate and cowardly act" by the militants.

Bureau Report