Weapons of more than 250 special police officers (SPOs) in Jammu and Kashmir were seized days before the government’s decision to scrap the provisions of Article 370 which gave a special status to the state. The authorities were prompted to seize the weapons of over 250 SPOs after reports of some of them going missing with their weapons emerged, an indication that they may have joined terror groups in the Valley, sources said.
Special Police Officers or SPOs are contractual employees who assist the regular police in law and order duties and have often been targeted by terrorists in the recent past.
While the decision to take away the weapons of SPOs was taken before the abrogation of Article 370 which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to the reports, there has been resentment in the regular police constabulary after the decision was taken by the government.
At present, the number of the Central Armed Police Forces (SRPF) officials is much more than the Kashmiri policemen at present.
"There won’t be a rebellion but there is anger among the ranks. That’s the reason why the ratio of central forces is much higher in police stations. It is to monitor the situation carefully," a security official said.
Young policemen are openly speaking against the abrogation of Article 370. Speaking to India Today TV, a constable, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "It’s like killing somebody in his sleep."
"I am well-educated, hold a master’s in political science, what was done was undemocratic," he said holding an AK-47.
Another said, "They don’t trust us that’s why we are being closely monitored," adding, "Article 370 gave security of jobs to us. Now government jobs will be taken over by people from other states."
However, the senior police officers told India Today TV that there is no trust deficit. "Police constabulary is manning barricades and carrying out all duties that they have been always done. There is no fear of any rebellion," a senior police officer said.
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Special Police Officers or SPOs are contractual employees who assist the regular police in law and order duties and have often been targeted by terrorists in the recent past.
While the decision to take away the weapons of SPOs was taken before the abrogation of Article 370 which gave a special status to Jammu and Kashmir, according to the reports, there has been resentment in the regular police constabulary after the decision was taken by the government.
At present, the number of the Central Armed Police Forces (SRPF) officials is much more than the Kashmiri policemen at present.
"There won’t be a rebellion but there is anger among the ranks. That’s the reason why the ratio of central forces is much higher in police stations. It is to monitor the situation carefully," a security official said.
Young policemen are openly speaking against the abrogation of Article 370. Speaking to India Today TV, a constable, who wished to remain anonymous, said, "It’s like killing somebody in his sleep."
"I am well-educated, hold a master’s in political science, what was done was undemocratic," he said holding an AK-47.
Another said, "They don’t trust us that’s why we are being closely monitored," adding, "Article 370 gave security of jobs to us. Now government jobs will be taken over by people from other states."
However, the senior police officers told India Today TV that there is no trust deficit. "Police constabulary is manning barricades and carrying out all duties that they have been always done. There is no fear of any rebellion," a senior police officer said.
J&K: Weapons of over 250 SPOs seized over fear of them joining terror groups
Special Police Officers or SPOs are contractual employees who assist the regular police in law and order duties and have often been targeted by terrorists in the recent past.
