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The Supreme Court today directed the Centre and the Chhattisgarh Government to explain within a week as to how the state had “let loose gun-toting special police officers” (SPOs) on the tribals of Dantewada and other Naxal-infested districts after hiring them on short contracts and a measly monthly payment of Rs 3,000.
A Bench, comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar, passed the order after the state government and the Centre had defended the recruitment of the SPOs in view of the special situation prevailing in these districts.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Centre, and senior advocate Harish Salve, arguing for the state, strongly defended the recruitment of the SPOs, contending that the practice was not prevalent only in Chhattisgarh. The governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Orissa and Maharashtra were also appointing the SPOs for short durations from among the local populace in order to fight the Naxalites/militants.
It was necessary to hire local people as they knew the difficult forest terrain and the local language. Further, the security forces were unable to provide security to the people living deep in the jungle areas, they contended.
The apex court was, however, not convinced. There was no constitutional provision for such methods. Further, both the people and the SPOs were not safe, as the SPOs were not trained in using the sophisticated weapons. What the government would do if some of the SPOs were killed or injured by the Naxalites, asked the Judges.
A Bench, comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and SS Nijjar, passed the order after the state government and the Centre had defended the recruitment of the SPOs in view of the special situation prevailing in these districts.
Solicitor General Gopal Subramanium, appearing for the Centre, and senior advocate Harish Salve, arguing for the state, strongly defended the recruitment of the SPOs, contending that the practice was not prevalent only in Chhattisgarh. The governments of Jammu and Kashmir, Orissa and Maharashtra were also appointing the SPOs for short durations from among the local populace in order to fight the Naxalites/militants.
It was necessary to hire local people as they knew the difficult forest terrain and the local language. Further, the security forces were unable to provide security to the people living deep in the jungle areas, they contended.
The apex court was, however, not convinced. There was no constitutional provision for such methods. Further, both the people and the SPOs were not safe, as the SPOs were not trained in using the sophisticated weapons. What the government would do if some of the SPOs were killed or injured by the Naxalites, asked the Judges.
