Over 1,500 temporary police who were supposed to be at polling stations in Parsa and Rautahat districts had instead gathered before the district administration office (DAO) to demonstrate against the government decision to pay them less than what was announced. As police tried to get them back to work, the Kalaiya market area remained tense from noon till 2 p.m. [break]
The government had earlier announced a total salary packet of Rs 33,000 for the temporary police for two months of work tenure, but this amount has now come down as they would be working for just one and half months.
According to Superintendent of Police Thakur Gyawali, police had to use force after the temporary police started getting violent over the salary issue, in front of the DAO.
“We would not use force had they not acted violently. But they obstructed the district administration office and started to vandalize it,” Gyawali said. “A few have been injured,” he admitted.
Dozens of temporary police sustained injuries to the head, hands and legs as police baton-charged them during the scuffle. A few among the injured, including Birendra Mahato from Rautahat and Sameem Akhatar from Dewapur, are receiving treatment at Kalaiya Hospital.
“We were looking for work and tried for the temporary police posts. But this is what we get,” said Akhatar. “Earlier, they had promised us good pay and perks but now we are not getting even half the amount promised,” he added.
According to Umesh Kumar Sonar, Narayani Zonal Police Chief SSP Sarbendra Khanal had told him and others during the recruitment that they would be entitled to Rs 33,000 after the success of the Constituent Assembly election. News about the reduced pay has greatly disappointed the youths.
“We had gone to the office to ask about the pay as we heard that we would be getting far less than the promised amount. But SP Nabaraj Adhikari told us we would be getting just half the amount and it was up to us whether we still wanted the job or not,” Sonar said. “He told us to go back home but we refused to budge, and the police used their batons,” he added.
Meanwhile, SP Gyawali stressed that it was not up to the police to provide what the temporary police are asking for. “They would be getting salary and allowances equal to the Nepal Police and it is the government who provides these, not us. They´ve got to understand that,” he said.
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