J-K: Sacked SPO threatens to jump off tower if not reinstated

In an embarrassing situation for Jammu and Kashmir government, a sacked Special Police Officer (SPO) climbed atop a mobile tower and threatened to jump off it if he was not reinstated, in Udhampur district today.
Rattan Chand climbed a mobile tower in Ramnagar belt of Udhampur district around 9 am today, demanding reinstatement of all 31 SPOs dismissed for protesting last year, Udhampur SSP, Anil Magotra said.
Senior police officers were negotiating with Chand, he said adding that the cases against the SPOs, who protested demanding decent wages last year, the matter was sub-judice.
Chand, on the other hand, alleged the state government was deliberately ignoring the demands of disengaged SPOs from Ramnagar, some who have lost their lives while fighting militancy in the state.

"The SPOs were demanding decent wages but were silenced by disengagement orders and criminal cases against them," he lamented.
Local leaders of various parties also appealed to the state government to reinstate the sacked SPOs and withdraw criminal cases lodged against them.

They also demanded regularisation of SPOs, enhancement of daily wage, suitable ex-gratia and permanent jobs to the kins of SPOs who died while fighting militancy.
Jammu and Kashmir government had disengaged 31 SPOs of Ramnagar belt of Udhampur district last year when they were on strike demanding decent wages.
In a written reply to the question of JKNPP MLA Yashpal Kundal in the assembly, Chief Minister Omar Abdullah had said in March that 141 SPOs had been disengaged during the past year in Udhampur district.

The reason for their disengagement included unauthorised absence, involvement in cases and their non-joining, besides selection of some in police and other departments, he had said.