Chhattisgarh Police assures security to government backed anti-Maoist militia

Raipur, July 12 (ANI): Chhattisgarh Police on Tuesday assured security to government backed anti Maoist militia after the Supreme Court asked the state government to stop appointing tribals as Special Police Officers (SPOs) in the Salwa Judum and termed it unconstitutional.

Speaking to the mediapersons, Vishwaranjan Singh, Director General of Police (DGP), Chhattisgarh, said that the department would ensure security to the locals who had volunteered to be a part of this anti-Maoist militia, Salwa Judum.

"We don't think there is any confusion in the matter because the Supreme Court has granted six weeks time and in six weeks we might follow their order. Or if the government wants to give in review petition then it would.

But, there is no confusion. About the security, the SPOs are not being dismissed from the posts. Supreme Court has only said that SPO should not be deployed to fight against Maoists. We would be providing them security in the camp where they would be living in," said Singh.

On July 5, the apex court asked the Chhattisgarh government to stop appointing tribals as SPOs in its anti-Maoist operation.

An apex court bench comprising Justices B Sudershan Reddy and S S Nijjar said the eligibility criteria, which includes the educational qualification and training of the tribals to combat Maoists goes against the provisions of statues and the Constitution.he apex court further said that creation of Koya Commandos and Salwa Judum was in violation of the Constitution.

The Special Police Officers (SPOs) have reportedly been given the name of Koya Commandos after that of a tribe in Chhattisgarh's Dantewada region.

Salwa Jadum, or peace march, was an anti-Maoist organisation that was launched in 2005 as a people's resistance movement against the Maoist rebels. (ANI)