Imphal, Dec 22 : The special police officers (SPOs) recruited for protection of Heirok in Thoubal district of Manipur may follow in the footsteps of human rights crusader Irom Sharmila instead of guarding the village with arms.
Sharmila has been on a fast unto death since November 2000 demanding lifting of the Armed Forces (Special Powers) Act, 1958.
For the second consecutive day today, 300 SPO trainees continued their protest against the state government’s indecision on their future by refusing to attend training classes at the Manipur Police Training School.
“We are contemplating a hunger strike if the government fails to respond to our demand for a clear policy on our future. We will wait for some more days. If no response comes, we will go on a hunger strike,” an SPO said on condition of anonymity.
The SPOs launched their agitation yesterday. They held a sit-in at the training ground.
They remained confined to their respective barracks at the training school located at Pangei in Imphal East district.
“First we were told that the training is for one month. On completion of the training, we were again told that the training will last for three more months. Now it has been six months and we do not know when it will be over and we will go back to our village,” the SPO said.
The revolt came after they submitted a memorandum to the government seeking a clear policy on their future. “We are not receiving any response from the government. We are disillusioned and our morale is down as our future is uncertain. We may follow in the footsteps of Sharmila to seek justice,” the SPO said.
The SPOs also complained that they were not provided woollen clothes and blankets. “We have to arrange these for ourselves. This is winter and how can we do without sweaters? The government is indifferent to our plight,” a trainee said.
The SPOs are also planning to approach the Union home ministry if the government remained indifferent.
“We want to go back to our village and perform our duties as village guards. But the government has not taken any step for construction of barracks for the SPOs at Heirok,” another SPO said.
