By Vishal Bharti
As many as 1555 police personnel, including Special Police Officers and 131 Village Defence Committee members, have sacrificed their lives for the nation while fighting terrorism and during combat operations since 1989 in parts of Jammu and Kashmir.
Official sources told UNI here that like other parts of the country, Jammu and Kashmir also commemorate National Police Day across all the regions falling on October 21 and hold programmes and events at various police headquarters to pay tributes to the martyrs.
They further said that ahead of ‘National Police Day’, Jammu and Kashmir Police is also remembering the martyred offices and jawans by highlighting their sacrifices in shape of write ups being published in different media.
Meanwhile, as per official figures, of the total 1,555 police personnel martyred in various operations in the past 30 years (since 1989), included 505 SPOs, one Deputy Inspector General, one Superintendent of Police, 22 Deputy Superintendents of Police, 25 Inspectors, 37 Sub-Inspectors, 64 Assistant Sub-Inspectors, 145 head Constables, 193 selection grade constables, 537 constables, one N.O and 24 followers.
”Besides this, 131 VDCs also made supreme sacrifice for the nation in fighting against either terror-related activities or in national cause,” said an official.
However, sources further added that as per current welfare schemes, for police martyrs, immediate relief to the NOKs in case of death of subscriber for performing last rites is Rs one lakh issued by the Police Contributory Welfare Fund.
In special welfare relief to NOKs of all deceased police personnel, it is Rs 19 lakh issued by the Police Contributory Welfare Fund, ex-gratia relief to NOKs of police personnel killed in terrorism related incidents is Rs 33 lakhs issued by the State Government, additional ex-gratia relief to NOKs of police personnel killed in terrorism related incidents is Rs 7 lakhs issued by the MHA-GOI, Janta insurance is Rs 10 lakhs and appointment under SRO-43 is on depending eligibility.
Sources further added that for martyred SPOs, immediate relief to NOKs in case of death of SPO for performing last rites is Rs 50,000 issued out of SPOs Contributory Welfare Fund, special relief to concerned NOKs in case of unfortunate death of the subscriber who dies during the course of engagement is Rs 4.5 lakhs issued out of SPOs Contributory Welfare Fund and Police Pariwar Fund, ex-gratia relief to NOKs of SPOs killed in terrorism related incidents is Rs 12,50 lakhs issued by the State Government, Janta Insurance (for accidental cases only) if Rs 10 lakhs issued by the State Government, insurance cover @ Rs 12 per annum out of Police Pariwar Fund is Rs 2 lakhs issued by the Pardhan Mantri Suraksha Bima Yojna and appointment under SRO-43 depends upon eligibility.
On August 3 this year, Union Ministry of Home Affair also enhanced the monthly honorarium of Special Police Officers in Jammu and Kashmir from Rs 6,000 to Rs 18,000, depending on their services.
As per an order, as many as 10,821 Special Police Officers (SPOs), who have completed 15 years of service, were eligible of monthly honorarium of Rs 18,000, a hike of Rs 6,000, similarly, 5,132 SPOs, who have completed 10 years of service, were eligible of Rs 15,000, a hike of Rs 6,000, 4,436 SPOs, get Rs 12,000, a hike of Rs 3,000 and as many as 1,134 SPOs, get Rs 9,000, a hike of Rs 3,000.
This was the second revision of the monthly honorarium of the SPOs within last few months. The earlier revision was issued and implemented in September 2018.
The SPOs in Jammu and Kashmir assist the state police in various functions, including that of intelligence gathering.
Director General of Police, Dilbag Singh had also thanked Government of India (GoI) and Government of Jammu and Kashmir for enhancing the honorarium of the SPOs.
Jammu and Kashmir Governor Satya Pal Malik on October 14 while addressing the passing out parade at Kathua district termed J&K Police as one of the best professional police forces.
“Whatever you have learnt here at PTS would help you throughout your career and would serve as a solid foundation in life,” the Governor had said and added that JKP is one of the best professionally managed forces in the country famed for its sacrifices and valour.
He asked them to maintain high standards of professionalism and serve the people with a caring spirit. (UNI)
