Vijay Singh Bali
”SPOs are facing the dilemma of dual role at dual place ”
On the chilly winter day of December 22, 2022, a thick blanket of snow enveloped Jammu and Kashmir, accompanied by biting winds sweeping down from the Greater Himalayas to the Pir Panjal range. Amidst this wintry scene, Special Police Officers(SPOs) dutifully carried out their tasks in Jammu and Kashmir,donning a pair of white sports shoes. It was a challenging time for the region, as it had recently been reorganized into a union territory, and incidents of terrorism and attacks on police personnel were rampant.
During this period,many of us slept comfortably in our homes, it’s crucial to acknowledge the role of more than 30,000 policemen, commonly referred to as Special Police Officers (SPOs), who worked tirelessly during this period for maintaining the security in the state ,often without receiving due credit. Despite the acronym suggesting a high level of trained and well paid personnels but the reality is quite different – these SPOs hardly receive the training required for a regular policemen.
SPOs were taken in to JKP for the first time in 1996 to fulfill the shortage of manpower against terrorism but today have become a eyes and ears of JKP .SPOs are appointed temporarily under Jammu and Kashmir Police act.
According to J&K Police ,the primary role of the SPO’s is the maintaining of law and order and helping the regular policemen in discharging the duties but as we know reality is very different ,they are involved in ,VIP protections and regular work of police with monthly salary of 5 thousands. SPOs play a crucial role in intelligence gathering about the terrorist hideouts due to their strong civilian connection which helps in counter operations to security forces. Instead of this,they are continuously facing numerous challenges
* The first challenge that SPOs are facing today is the challenge of ”Dual role at Dual place ”,primary , police has the role of maintaining the ‘ law and order situation’ and other security forces have the role of maintaining the internal security in a country however ,these SPOs are at the forefront in JK in fighting terrorism while also maintaining the law and order situation, thus playing ‘dual role’ which has adversely affected them physically and psychologically.
‘Dual place’predicament highlights a circumstance where SPO juggletwo roles -one as law enforcement officer at workplace and another working elsewherefor extra money due to low income within the Police Department ,thus affecting their ability to do duty as a policemen and is particularly observed in rural area.
* The second major hurdle that SPOs are facing is the financial constraints , earlier SPOs were given 3000 monthly, imagine you being given 3 thousands monthly for doing the toughest job in the country, isn’t this a tough job? However in 2018 ,somehow Home Ministry woke up from the deep sleep after more than 20years and choose to do some so called reforms , now onwards those SPOs having experience of 0-3 years would get the salary of 6000,those with more than 3years would get 9000, those with more than 10 years but less than 15 years would get 15000and if somehow one survived in counterinsurgency operations wearing a pair of sports shoes ,after 15 years one would get 18000.Even after getting 18k at the age of 50, having a family of 3 kids and older parents is not sufficient .
* Thirdly ,SPOs are majorly employed in rural areas on the police posts ,these police posts were majorly established in 2000s to act as deterrent against terrorism and protecting primary ‘Hindu villages’ especially in Chenab region from ethnic cleansing. However ,these police posts lack basic infrastructure like toilets, kitchens and majority of them are on rent buildings which are in very bad conditions.
* Fourthly, SPOs hardly get the training needed for a police personal ,which makes them vulnerable to terrorist attacks,this can been be seen from the fact that since its inception ,more than 500 brave souls got martyred in Jammu and Kashmir
* Fifthly,SPO’s are the soft targets of terrorist attacks ,after the counter insurgency operations ,other security forces have to live in their camps which are a very secure place to live in but SPOs have to go daily to their homes which makes them vulnerable to terrorist attacks, sometimes ,they have to go under cover during the night to meet their families .
* Physchological problems: It has been seen that majority of the work force especially those who are involved in Counter insurgency (COIN) are facing the psychological problems like anxiety ,depression and ‘post operation traumatic stress’ which leads them to addiction of alcoholand other substances
* Social boycott: In some villages of Kashmir ,it has been seen that being a SPO is seen as traitor in the society as they pass the intelligence to security forces by going against the concept of Muslim brotherhood, in some cases , in 2010 onwards, Muslims clerics used to openly name the SPOs on Friday prayers ,by giving call of social boycott among the masses .
* Seventh problem that SPOs are facing is the expenditure on health ,other security forces have special hospitals for its personnel ,whereas, policehospitals are just limited to regular checkup, Special Police Officers aka SPOs as a workforce is playing a crucial in the JK in maintaining the security and law and order situation along with other special forces . We hope that Home ministry has the plans for sufferings that they are facing as we cant ensure security of a state with underpaid a workforce of more than 30 thousands.
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