Imphal, June 19: Rejecting deployment of SPOs in Heirok and Lilong Chajing on the model being adopted in Chhatisgarh after a detailed study of the plight of the SPOs there, the JACs of Heirok and Lilong Chajing have demanded to know the exact nature of the SPOs to be set up and deployed in Heirok and Lilong Chajing by the State Government for the first time in the North East region.

In connection with the proposal of the State Government to set up SPOs in Heirok and Lilong Chajing in accordance with the demand of the people for providing arms to protect themselves, a joint delegation comprising seven representatives of Heirok and Lilong Chajing JACs and two representatives of Human Rights Alert (HRA) had reportedly gone to inspect and study the model of the SPOs deployed in Dantewada district of Chhatisgarh.

Addressing a press conference at Manipur Press Club here this afternoon in connection with the findings of the inspection team, secretary general of Lilong JAC Lairenjam Maipak informed that there is nothing to be envied about the plight of the SPOs deployed in Dantewada district of Chhatisgarh.

So, only after the people are informed of the reality, a final decision on whether the proposal of the State Government to set up SPOs to arm the people of Heirok and Lilong Chajing for self protection should be accepted or not would be taken.

Recounting the findings of the inspection team which had gone to the camps of the SPOs at Donnapal and Kashuri in Dantewada district, secretary general of Heirok JAC Laishram Mandir said that the main duty of the SPOs there is to dissuade the people from joining or extending support to the Naxals who are dubbed as their enemies.

Mandir informed that following deployment of SPOs, two distinct groups of people, one favouring the Naxal movement and the other opposing it have come up.

As a consequence, there are villagers who have join the Naxals while those who are opposed to the Naxals and are now known as Salwa Jalums, have been compelled to stay in the relief camps set up near the camps of SPOs.

Salwa Jalums have no future prospects and their fooding and lodging are being provided by the Chhatisgarh Government with PDS items doled out being their main source of livelihood, Mandir said, adding that the SPOs are equipped with 303 Rifles and are given a monthly stipend of Rs 1500 which is not enough to run their families.

The land and other properties of the Salwa Jalums who are being given protection by the SPOs have also been usurped by the Naxals, he disclosed.

Stating that the Cabinet decision of deploying the SPOs to be set up in Heirok only in Heirok is appreciable, Mandir, however, noted whether the Act under which the SPOs have to be set up can be actually amended by the State Government or not needs to be discussed and understood thoroughly before accepting any proposal in this regard.

Considering the pitiable plight of the SPOs deployed in Chhatisgarh it would be better not to have SPOs at all.

So the State Government should come up with an explanation on the exact nature of the SPOs to be set up in Manipur, he demanded.

It is also essential on the part of the people to analyse and understand what would be the future implication of the SPOs to be set up in Manipur for the first time in the North East region, he said, while expressing desire that the Government as well as the UG groups should do whatever is necessary for the people of Heirok who are living in a state of confusion and fear.

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