Number Of Cops Resigning In J&K Is Negligible And Concentrated In South Kashmir, Claims Top Official

The Jammu and Kashmir government said on Tuesday that the number of special police officers (SPOs) who are resigning after having borne the brunt of militant attacks is negligible and is confined to certain areas of South Kashmir, reported Deccan Chronicle.

Jammu and Kashmir’s chief secretary, BVR Subrahmanyam, speaking to reporters in Srinagar, said instructions have been issued to all SPOs regarding their personal safety.

He said that 30,000 SPOs are in the state and the number of those resigning is negligible.

"The problem of resignation of SPOs are restricted to certain areas. There is by and large no such problem in north and central Kashmir. It is concentrated in south Kashmir," he said.

He also said that the government will hike the honorarium of SPOs and a decision in this regard is in the offing.

"We know that the honorarium of SPOs was enhanced from Rs 3,000 to Rs 6,000 per month some time ago. The honorarium will be hiked substantially, but I do not want to give out any figures as it will be decided by the State Administrative Council (headed by the Governor)," said Subrahmanyam.

Reports have emerged in the media of panic among the SPOs and lower ranks of the police department after abduction and killing of three SPOs from their homes in Shopian district of the state.

The state police has denied these reports and termed them as “untrue and motivated”.