J&K SPOs removed from personal security duty

SRINAGAR:The Jammu and Kashmir police have ordered the withdrawal of special police officers (SPO), who are on duty as personal security officers (PSO) of protected persons across the state. The order was issued few days after SPO Adil Bashir, who was posted as PSO of People’s Democratic Party legislator Ajaz Ahmad Mir decamped with eight weapons, including seven rifles and a pistol.

The order issued by Additional Director General of Police (law and order) Muneer Ahmed Khan says that a SPO, who is a contractual employee with the police department couldn’t be a PSO, as they are not trained to perform such duties. He has asked all the district SPs to submit the details of SPOs who have been called back to headquarters till October 5.

“It is hereby ordered that henceforth no unit or district SP shall deploy any SPO for PSO duties and all the SPOs except (SPO drivers) presently attached with protected persons be immediately withdrawn repeat immediately withdrawn,” read the order issued here.


The order also reads that if any SPO does not report back his honorarium may not be released and nominal roll of such SPOs be furnished so that orders of their disengagement could be issued immediately.