Agartala, July 10: Members of the All Tripura SPO Paribar Kalyan organization staged a protest on Friday and attempted to submit a memorandum to the Director General of Police (DGP), demanding regularisation of Special Police Officers (SPOs) and improved service benefits.
However, the protesters alleged that they were unable to meet the DGP as he was unavailable. Instead, they submitted their memorandum to the DIG (Headquarters). According to the protesters, they had travelled from all eight districts of Tripura to present their demands.
The organisation placed a 10-point charter of demands, including:
* Regularisation of SPO jobs.
* Full service benefits for families of SPOs who die while in service.
* A 13th month’s salary, similar to regular police personnel.
* Insurance benefits on par with police.
* Medical allowance.
* Dress allowance.
* Ration allowance.
* Raising the upper age limit to 42 years with special recruitment benefits for Police and TSR induction.
* Implementation of the National Pension System (NPS) for SPOs.
* Payment of TA/DA (Travel Allowance/Dearness Allowance).
The protesters stated that SPOs currently receive a monthly honorarium of ₹11,850, which they said is insufficient to support their families.
Speaking to reporters, a representative of the organisation expressed disappointment over not being able to meet the DGP despite obtaining prior permission for the deputation. She alleged that officials informed them the DGP was unavailable due to a meeting.
The protesters warned that if their demands are not addressed and no meaningful response is received from the authorities, they will intensify their agitation in the coming days, including road blockades and other forms of democratic protest.
The delegation said they were not seeking confrontation but appealed to the government to secure the future of SPO personnel by regularising their employment and extending benefits equivalent to those provided to regular police personnel.
