Recruitment of SPOs at Heirok
Hundreds turn up for physical test
Source: The Sangai Express

Imphal, May 05: With the Government deciding to provide arms to the people of Heirok for their self defence, the recruitment drive for selecting 300 Special Police Officers started today with the physical test held at Heirok Part II Mela Ground from 8 am to 4 pm.

Personally supervised by DGP Y Joykumar, the physical test was conducted in the presence of Thoubal SP, Clay Khongsai, officers of Thoubal police and officers from the IRB.

Candidates aspiring to be SPOs at Heirok wait for their turn for the physical test

From early morning, hundreds of aspirants started streaming to the Mela Ground to take part in the physical test armed with the needed documents and waited for their turns in a long queue.

Altogether 460 candidates applied for the posts of the 300 SPOs.

After screening through the applications, only candidates who have passed Matric and above were shortlisted, as per the norms laid down by the Government.

This however did not go down well with the people of Heirok, who demanded that candidates who have passed Class VIII be considered, provided they are physically fit.

This was conveyed in strong terms to the screening team.

The screening team however stuck to their stand and made it clear that priorities would be given to candidates who have passed Matric or above, leaving quite a number of aspirants crest fallen.

Some of the more enterprising ones tried to hoodwink their way through by showing the Matric certificates of other family members.

They were however detected by the screening members and had to beat a hasty retreat.

Asserting that the physical test is a morale booster, DGP Y Joykumar said that the large turn out is ample proof of the trust and confidence the Government and the Police Department enjoy.

The police chief further said that the steps taken up by the Government is to enable the villagers to protect themselves from militants and added that the SPOs will be under the surveillance of the district SP.

Moreover no SPO will be allowed to move outside the village with arms.

However if the police need any extra strength during times of encounter or while chasing any militant in the neighbouring areas, the assistance of the SPOs will be sought, said the DGP and cautioned that if any SPO violates the rules and guidelines laid down, then the gun will be withdrawn.

Anticipating that more villages may follow the steps of Heirok and Chajing, the DG said that in Kashmir there 30,000 SPOs and village guards and if there is the need and the demand then the strength of SPOs all over the State may be increased to 20,000 .

Speaking to reporters, father of Thokchom Promila, who died in the firing incident at a Thabal Chongba venue, Th Mohen said that he is not fully satisfied with the issuance of guns.

"There are still certain things that I would like my children and grand children to do," he said but hastily added that he is happy with the steps taken up by the people of Heirok as well as the Government.

Mohen informed that his nephews are also applying to join to SPOs.

One of the aspiring candidates, Moirangthem Ramesh said that his elder brother was killed by militants about ten years back.

Moreover many other civilians have been killed, he claimed and asserted that he would face any militants who try to enter Heirok.