India, Jan. 16 -- 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 ...