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G Vinayak in Guwahati
A Tripura government plan to recruit civilians as special police officers to combat militancy received a serious setback early this week when seven SPOs deserted the force, taking with them seven .303 rifles and at least 400 rounds of ammunition, reports said.
According to Inspector General of Police (Law and Order), K Saleem Ali, the seven SPOs, who were recruited to assist the regular police personnel in combating militancy, decamped with firearms and ammunitions from a camp at Gachhirampara under Kanchanpur police station.
Apparently, they left to join a militant organisation. A special alert has been sounded throughout the north Tripura district and the adjoining Dhalai district.
"We have received information that they might flee towards Shakahn Shermun hill range," the IGP said.
The incident has created a sensation throughout the state. This is the first time that so many 'police personnel' have decamped with arms and ammunitions in a single attempt.
The government's decision to appointment SPOs has already drawn severe criticism from the opposition.
The seven fugitives were among 30 personnel based in a camp at Gachhirampara. The camp was headed by an assistant sub-inspector of police, while four regular policemen were also stationed there.
The SPOs fled the camp around midnight on Tuesday. Six of them have been identified and they are: Sachindra Reang, Kiran Reang, Dhananjay Reang, Dhaneswar Reang, Upendra Reang and Kathiral Reang.
Tripura has two main militant outfits: the National Liberation Front of Tripura, which is now split into two, and the All Tripura Tiger Force (ATTF). It is not clear which outfit the fugitives intend to join
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