BJP activists protests over the issue of SPOs, VDCs

Scoop News May 14, 2012

Jammu, May 14 (Scoop News) – Under the party’s scheduled programmes of organizing protests over the issue of SPOs and VDCs, BJP activists held massive sit- in- dharnas at different parts of Jammu province which were led by senior leaders deputed for the same. Memorandums demanding enhancement of pay emoluments to all the VDCs and regularisation, were also handed over to the local authorities for further submission to the State Governor.

BJP State President Shamsher Singh Manhas, who led the protest dharna at Gandoh alongwith State Vice-president Som Raj Khajuria and Doda Distt. President Dalip Singh Parihar, said that the attempts to disband the Village Defence Committees (VDCs) and disengaging the SPOs have invited wide-spread resentment and the BJP stands with them and the aggrieved families of SPOs who have even sacrificed their lives during the last 15 years in different parts of the Jammu province for the integerity of the country and preventing forcible demographic change in their respective areas. Despite putting in best services and proving a strong tool against militancy, they are being done away with instead of commending their role while very attractive rehabilitation schemes are announced for ex-militants and their families. In spite of their enormous sacrifices, they are being thrashed and beaten if they raise their grievances, said Manhas adding that the government should think about them seriously and shed the policy of harasssing them.

Dr. Nirmal Singh, who led the protest dharna at district headquarters Doda, said that it is strange that dozens of SPOs have been disengaged on flimsy grounds. He said their service conditions are deliberately kept vague by the government, which is the worst type of exploitation during the period when every body talks about human rights violation. In view of the increased threat of cross border terrorism to India these gross root level security agencies should have been strengthened by the Government but facts are contrary. They are being ousted. He demanded that their remuneration should be enhanced, service conditions should be settled through a statute and the Central Government should introduce a bill in the Parliament to convert these VDCs/ SPOs into regular Security Force.

State Vice-president Bali Bhagat led the protest dharna at Ramban. State Secretary Sunil Sharma and Kishtwar Distt. Prabhari Brijmohan Sharma led similar protest dharna at Kishtwar. At Assar, it was led by State Secretary Mamta Singh, while at Chatru it was led by Distt. General Secretary Chuni Lal Shaan. Udhampur Distt. President Dina Nath Bhagat and MLA Shyam Choudhary sat on dharna with party activists at Chenani.

Ramban Distt. President Ramesh Sharma led the protest dharna at Ramsoo. Similarly, District president Kabla Singh led the same at Reasi. Senior leader Kuldeep Raj Gupta and Rajouri Distt. President Yogesh Sharma led protest march at Rajouri town. BJYM State President Munish Sharma sat on protest dharna at Ramnagar. At Mahore, similar dharna was led by Distt. General Secretaries Ramesh ji and Nazir Ahmed.

Senior leader from Poonch Pardeep Sharma and Distt. President Sunil Gupta led the same at Poonch while Distt. Vice-president Chain Singh led the same at Arnas and Ravi Kumar led the same at Dachhan. State Working Committe Member Shakti Parihar and Basant Raj led it at Thathri.