Reports reaching here from Haflong, the district headquarters, on Monday said over 450 SPOs, all retired personnel of the Army, police and home guard, have not been getting their salary for five months. They were appointed as SPOs in 2007.
A spokesman of the agitating SPOs said at the time of appointment, authorities had pledged that they would get a monthly salary of Rs 8,200. "However, we are getting Rs 4500 a month. We have requested the government to release the outstanding and effect a hike in our salary. But no one is bothered, it seems," he added.
Disgruntled by such a long wait for their "dues", the angry SPOs rushed out of their barracks on Sunday with lethal SLRs in their hands, gathered at the Lower Haflong railway station and started shouting slogans in favour of their demands. All those present at the station then were scared by such a sight and started running towards all directions. Sources said the SPOs tried to board a Guwahati-bound train and take up their cause with higher authorities in Dispur.
Fearing that the situation might go out of control, superintendent of police (Dima Hasao) V K RemiShetty amd additional SP Surjit Singh Panisar rushed to the station and had a discussion with the SPOs. The SP reportedly assured them that they would get their outstanding before August 15. It was only after the SPOs' assurance that the SPOs returned to the barracks.
However, the spokesman of the SPOs said they would intensify their agitation if they did not get their salary by August 15.
The SPOs were appointed in Dima Hasao at a crucial period when DHD (J) militants were targeting the workers, engineers and contractors engaged in the broad gauge and East-West corridor projects in the hill district.