The Hindu : National : Manipur villagers refuse to join as SPOs

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Manipur villagers refuse to join as SPOs

Iboyaima Laithangbam

IMPHAL: People of Heirok village in Thoubal district of Manipur on Friday spurned the government offer to recruit 500 Special Police Officers to protect themselves against militants.

L. Mandir, general secretary of the joint committee that has been spearheading an agitation demanding firearms for villagers, said some of their representatives visited Chhattisgarh to study the working of the SPOs there.

He said an SPO was being paid Rs. 1,500 a month. They had to arm themselves with bows and arrows during daytime and carry .303 rifles at night. If an SPO dies, there was no monetary and job benefit for his dependants. It was nothing different in Manipur.

Village activists said the Manipur government had not come out with a clear stand on using SPOs in counter-insurgency operations.

Residents of Chajing village in Imphal west district said they too would not join as SPOs.

The government has already conducted the physical test and appointment letters are about to be given to successful candidates.

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