Fear grips cops after militants kill policemen; three SPOs, constable quit jobs

Fear has gripped the policemen after the assassination of three special police officers (SPOs) prompting four cops to announce their resignation from their jobs in South Kashmir.

Three SPOs and a constable took to social media and posted videos announcing their resignation from their jobs in Shopian district of South Kashmir.

"I was an SPO for the last eight years. But from September 20, I have no connection with police. Through this video, I am announcing my resignation from the police department. I will brought-up my children honourably", said Shabir Ahmad Thokar, an SPO from Samuna village of Shopian in a 38-second video.

Special Police Officers are the casual employees of the Police department who work on a monthly consolidated salary of Rs 5000 to Rs 6000.

Not only SPOs, but even regular constables have also announced resignation from the police department in south Kashmir. "I was working as a constable with the police department. From today I have no connection whatsoever with the police department. Hence I am resigning from my job", said Irshad Ahmad Baba, a constable in Jammu and Kashmir police.

The resignation spree comes hours after Militants abducted and killed three SPOS in Shopian district of south Kashmir.

This follows the Hizbul Mujhadeen warning to cops to resign of remain ready for the consequences.

The one lakh plus strong Jammu and Kashmir police have been at the forefront of the war on terror in the state for the last 28 years.  Nearly 1655 policemen including 500 SPOs have been killed fighting militants since the insurgency started in 1990.

This year so far around 27 policeman and seven SPOs have been killed in different militancy-related incidents in the state. This year around 64 men of different security forces have laid down their lives in the line of duty.  Around 140 militants have been killed in different encounters this year so far.

Last year around 86 security men were killed in the war on terror. They included 27 cops and five SPOs. Last year 209 militants killed in Operation All Out launched to neutralize the new age militancy.

On September 12, State Administrative Council (SAC) which met her under the leadership of J&K Governor Satya Pal Malik approved the increase in the ex gratia relief to the families of fallen heroes of Jammu and Kashmir police.

Under the new scheme, Next of Kins (NoKs) of martyred J&K Police personnel will get ex gratia relief from Rs 48 lakh to Rs 70 lakh. Similarly the NoKs of martyred Special Police Officers (SPOs) will get the ex gratia relief from Rs 14.5 lakh to Rs.30 lakh.