Tribal youths as auxiliary force to be posted as regular cops in Odisha districts

December 27, 2015

Bhubneshwar

In a bid to meet shortage of manpower in constabulary, especially urban centres, the Odisha government has decided to deploy 4,188 Odisha Auxiliary Police Force (OAPF) constables in the territorial police stations across the State.

The OAPF comprises of tribal youths who had undergone training to become Special Police Officers for their deployment in Maoist-affected districts. After successful completion of three years of contractual engagement, they were absorbed in the OAPF.

The decision was taken to absorb the SPOs in the OAPF as tribals were under-represented in force on account of general deprivation of certain ST groups due to educational qualifications.

Director General of Police K. B. Singh had requested the government to accommodate these OAPF constables in the territorial police stations where there is serious shortage of staff constables. The proposal has been cleared by the government.

“These constables will work under the command and disciplinary control of the superintendents of police or deputy commissioner of police concerned. The drawal of pay and allowances of these constables will be done in the office of the police districts where they will be posted,” said Mr. Singh in a statement.

Normally, these constables will be posted to the police stations to the nearby districts of their domicile while they will be transferred within respective police districts.

“Special care is being taken to deploy these constables in the large urban police stations where there is serious shortage of staff. In addition to their normal police duty, these constables will also work in the various welfare activities like ‘Ama Police’, ‘Mahila O Sishu Desk’ and reception centres of the police station concerned,” the DGP said.

As per the decision, 505 auxiliary constables will be taken in Commissionerate Police Bhubaneswar, 432 in Commissionerate Police Cuttack, 195 in Puri, 176 in Sambalpur, 169 in Balasore, 164 in Ganjam, 163 in Angul, 155 in Mayurbhanj and 153 in Rourkela police district.

In 2008, it was felt that certain groups of ST population in the State do not have adequate representations in the police despite the provisions of reservation. So a special drive was undertaken to recruit youths of these ST groups as SPOs. In two phases, at least 5,600 SPOs were recruited from 19 tribal-dominated districts and absorbed in OAPF after three years of contractual engagement.

Source: The Hindu, December 27, 2015

Image: Indian Express