SPOs exploited by politicians, bureaucrats
Shariq Majeed
Tribune News Service

Rajouri, December 10
They are called Special Police Officers (SPOs) of the Jammu and Kashmir police but they do petty jobs of orderlies and domestic helps, courtesy the “influential people” they provide security to.

Despite playing a commendable role in quelling terrorism in this militancy-hit state, the SPOs are being taken for a ride by the “influential people” they are attached to for security. In majority of the cases here, the SPOs attached to politicians, administrative officers, police officers (including retired), some mediapersons and businessmen, are being made to do petty jobs other than providing security.

Sources in the Police Department said of the 900 SPOs recruited in the district, more than 150 were working as orderlies, drivers, cooks and babysitters with the “influential people” they are attached to for providing security. In some of the cases, these SPOs have been found working in the shops of businessmen (who get SPOs for security reasons) here, sources added.

“What else should I ask for? My boss takes care of everything from meals to my clothing. In lieu I have to just accompany him to the places he goes,” said a SPO with a politician. Another SPO attached with a mediaperson also working as cook, said “What's the harm in it? I just cook food for him and at times I do wash his clothes”. “It is too little a price for getting a government job”.

Not only the SPOs attached to “influential people” also called PSOs (personal security officers), provide security to most of the businessmen and are exploited and made to work as salesmen by the latter.

“There is no doubt that SPOs have played a crucial role in countering insurgency operations but this is also true that in most cases where these SPOs are performing security duties for some politicians, administrative officers, police officers, businessmen and even for that reason with some mediapersons, they are exploited lot”, said a senior police officer on the condition of anonymity. “We have clear cut information that SPOs attached with most of the influential people have been made to fit in other roles other than providing security by them”, he added.

“There is quite a truth in the fact that SPOs are being made to do petty jobs by people they are attached to for security reasons”, IG, Jammu, S.P. Vaid said.