National Desk, 20th July: Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma visited a state-run hospital on Saturday to meet contractual police assistants injured in a clash with police in Ranchi, Jharkhand. Sarma, who is also the BJP’s election co-incharge for Jharkhand, condemned the lathi-charge on the protesting Special Police Officers (SPOs). The SPOs were demanding direct recruitment into the police force and an increase in their honorarium.
The BJP has sharply criticized the Jharkhand Mukti Morcha (JMM)-led government for its handling of the protest, accusing it of failing to meet its promises. Senior police and administrative officials had earlier met with the agitating SPOs and assured them of certain concessions. Raj Kumar Mallick, Additional Director General of Police, explained that while direct recruitment was not possible, the government would offer age relaxation for positions in various departments and extend the tenure of the SPOs by one year if they ceased their protest.
Eyewitnesses reported that police used mild force to control the protesters near the Chief Minister’s residence. The SPOs, who had been demonstrating at Morabadi Ground for over a week, were urged to end their agitation. Mallick confirmed that upcoming recruitments for 6,500 police posts would be open to the agitating SPOs, and their honorarium would be increased by 25% if they returned to their duties promptly.
Union Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan and BJP leader Laxmikant Bajpai have strongly condemned the JMM government’s actions, alleging mismanagement and failure to address the SPOs’ demands. Chouhan criticized Chief Minister Hemant Soren’s decision to use force against the protesters, while Bajpai expressed confidence in the BJP’s prospects in the upcoming state elections. BJP state president Babulal Marandi condemned the violence, accusing the government of heavy-handed tactics against the protesters, including pregnant women and children.
The situation remains tense as the assembly elections approach later this year.
Read More: Assam CM Himanta Biswa Sarma Criticizes Jharkhand Government Amid Police Clash