Chhattisgarh to induct SPOs in Armed Police Force

Chief Minister Raman Singh has said the Cabinet has approved the “Chhattisgarh Auxiliary Armed Police Force Ordinance 2011”, and added that the report has been sent to the governor for his assent.

Stating that the new force is being raised keeping in mind Special Police Officers (SPOs), local tribals, who are engaged in anti-Maoist operations, Singh said over 5,000 SPOs will be inducted into the unit, which will be assisting the security forces.

The move comes after the Supreme Court asked the Chhattisgarh government on July 5 to stop appointing tribals as SPOs in its anti-Maoist operation.

An apex court Bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar said the eligibility criteria, which includes the educational qualification and training of the tribals to combat Maoists goes against the provisions of the Constitution.

The apex court further said creation of Koya Commandos and Salwa Judum was in violation of the Constitution.

The Special Police Officers (SPOs) have reportedly been given the name of Koya Commandos after that of a tribe in Chhattisgarh’s Dantewada region.

Salwa Judum, or peace march, was an anti-Maoist organisation that was launched in 2005 as a people’s resistance movement against the Maoist rebels.