No proposal to regularize SPO in J

Jammu, Feb 8 (UNI) The Jammu and Kashmir Government today informed Legislative Council that there was no proposal to regularise services of as many as 22,145 Special Police Officers (SPO) engaged in fighting militancy in the state.

Minister for CAPD Taj Moin-ud-Din in reply to a question by Prof Bhim Singh, informed the council that 438 SPOs have been killed so far in the state during encounters with militants and ex-gratia to their next-of-kin has been paid at the rate of Rs two lakh each.

''The engagement of SPOs' is made by district police administration on a need base and is purely temporary, to render assistance to police as well as para-military forces in dealing law and order situation and militancy. SPOs are being paid a monthly honorarium of Rs 3000,'' he said.

UNI