Mutiny In The Lines

A police protest over service terms finds likely and unlikely allies.

- Rahul Noronha

Police personnel in Chhattisgarh have hit upon a new way to press home their demands without risking action for violating service rules. Family members of the state’s 70,000­strong constabulary and special armed force (SAF) are leading the agitation by proxy.

On June 25, the families joined a protest rally at Raipur’s Idgaahbhata ground to press for the demands, including better salaries and allowances, and a practical policy on transfers.

It all began some six months ago, when Rakesh Yadav, a constable in Bi­laspur, who had been dismissed from service in 2013 for organising hunger strikes and dharnas, began an online campaign articulating the demands. He found instant traction on social media. The campaign became more vociferous after the Raman Singh government conceded contractual teach­ ers’ demand to regularise their jobs.