Srinagar, Mar 14: Apni Party Provincial President of Legal Cell, Jammu Province, Vikram Rathore on Thursday demanded enhancement of wages and regular release of the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and Special Police Officers (SPOs).
As per the press release, Rathore was addressing a meeting at the Bhaderwah office of the party where the VDC/SPOs called on him and informed him about their problems.
After hearing them patiently, he assured them that he would highlight their issues before the concerned authorities. “If the authorities failed to address the burning demands of the VDCs/SPOs, the party would come on the roads to protest the discrimination with the nationalist people who fight against the terrorists by putting their lives at risk,” he said.
Vikram said the government should enhance the wages of VDCs/SPOs, and these wages shall be regularly released on a monthly basis. He demanded that a review of their wages and other demands shall be taken by the authorities.
“These VDCs/SPOs work in very dangerous situations, and their role cannot be denied in eliminating the terror-related incidents from the Chenab Valley. In this situation, it becomes important for the government to consider their genuine demand to enhance the wages, and release these wages on a regular basis,” he added.
Vikram expressed “surprise” over the delay in taking a decision that would benefit the VDC/SPOs across the Jammu region, and said, “These defence committees shall be provided other benefits like free health care, health insurance, and bullet proof jackets by the security forces, especially during the counter-insurgency operations.”
