104 SPOs desert their posts

KS Correspondent

JAMMU, May 1: After disbanding of Special Task Force (SOG), Are SPOs and VDCs the next target? The security forces and the patriotic sections are worried at why the Central government is destroying its own instruments to counter the terrorists. In a situation, where internal subversion and lack of local support made counter-insurgency operations a non-starter, there was need for innovative instruments and strategies. The gap was filled by creating SPOs, launching VDCs and raising an elite force--SOG (STF).

When the proxy-war engulfed the Jammu province and the minorities became the target for ethnic-cleansing campaign, formation of VDCs became a dire compulsion. It not only pre-empted the exodus of Hindus from the strategic district, Doda but also lent a sharp edge to the counter-insurgency campaigns in the district. Doda region has often come under international scanner in map-making subversion.

Both the State government and the Central government have bungled in handling local instruments to counter insurgency. With the success of VDCs, the concept was extended to other regions and involved other religious groups as well. There are over 15,000 VDC members at present. They are given a pittance of Rs 200 per head. In terms of arms and communication equipment also they continued to get a raw deal. The erstwhile NC government ran a sinister campaign against VDCs.

The scheme of SPOs (Special Police Officers) was started by Union Home Ministry with the three objectives. One, to lure the militants to surrender. Second, to use them to fight terrorists, in lieu of their knowledge of militant outfits. Lastly, the semi-police job offered them protection again reprisal by the terrorists whom they deserted. This scheme was further extended to the unemployed youth, to keep them away from joining terrorists. There are presently 23,000 SPOs, who get a monthly salary of Rs 1500 a month. Most of them belong to poor families of the militancy-affected districts of Jammu province.

These SPOs were raised by the state police along with material and training support of the Army. Security forces' commanders describe SPOs as "our best force multipliers", who serve as PSOs and go out on counter-terrorist operations.

Many SPOs recruited belonged to those families, whose kith and kin were killed by terrorists. Naturally they had higher motivation, knew local language and treacherous terrain. They were physically and psychologically fit to take up arms in war against terror.

The PDP government, which  has been engaged in populism on security-related issues, failed to comprehend the fall-out of its ill-conceived policies. Senior police officers say that while the State government was keen to weed out the Ikhwani elements-the surrendered militants--the SPOs became a natural target.

Why the Union Home Ministry delayed the release of funds earmarked for the wages of VDC members and SPOs, has intrigued the observers here. Even if it is true, that some of the SPOs. Were being deployed in houses of bureaucrats and politicians for doing domestic chores or that they have been raised without prior approval, then who is to be blamed? Why does not Union Home Ministry have its own monitoring mechanism? Why are VDCs and SPOs receiving a raw deal in ex-gratia relief, when they are killed in operations?

The recent indiscipline in the ranks of SPOs in Doda districts needs to be viewed seriously. During the past week, more than 104 SPOs have mutinied in Doda district, in protest against the inordinate delay in the release of their monthly wages. The first batch of 40 SPOs had revolted in Police Lines in Doda on April 23. They had walked out, informing the authorities that were going to take on terrorists. The deserters had carried their weapons, ammunition and wireless sets. For two full days they walked to distant places, including Arnoda, Bharat and after crossing river Chenab camped at Shiva mountain belt. How SPOs were allowed to move out of the police lines on the pretext of carrying out operations against militants, with no senior police official heading them, too remains a mystery. All these SPOs were unemployed youth and not surrendered militants. After five days of negotiations, the deserters joined back. Many of them had not received wages for 5-6 months.

The batch had not yet reached the police lines in Doda, when another batch of 24 SPOs mutinied in Bhaderwah and its adjoining areas. Official sources said, a group of SPOs, equipped with sophisticated weapons, left the police post at Bhaderwah. They were joined by other colleagues at Sardhangal and Phanala posts. After traversing mountain ranges for two days, the deserters reached Padri Dar, on 28 April morning. Being the highest mountain-belt in the area, the senior police authorities were yet to reach them.

On April 28, another group of 30 SPOs from Gandhov, Bartha and Changa, deserted their posts, carrying alongwith them weapons and wireless sets. Their whereabouts remain unknown.

Though an inquiry into revolt has been ordered, it remains to be seen what its impact would be on VDCs and SPOs, engaged in counter-insurgency operations. The decision of the state government to allow only matriculates into the police has SPOs staring at a bleak future. At a time, when centre has decided to give new teeth to counter-insurgency operations by re-designating the combined  Unified Headquarters in J&K on the pattern of Unified Command in Assam, the developments in Doda demand beter vision on the part of Union government.