Thiruvananthapuram: Negotiations between the state police chief and CPO rank holders who are currently engaged in an indefinite strike at the secretariat in Thiruvananthapuram, have hit a dead end. Despite attempts by the police to provide explanations regarding reported vacancies, candidates have debunked these claims with accurate figures.
On the official police Facebook page, it was claimed that 5,038 individuals had been appointed. However, candidates countered, asserting that only 3,326 vacancies had been filled. They highlighted that the remaining positions were Non-Joining Duty (NJD) vacancies from the rank list. Moreover, candidates emphasized that the figure included various specialized roles such as Women Constable, Police Driver, SC-ST Special Recruitment, and Police Telecommunication.
With no resolution in sight, candidates have vowed to escalate their strike until the government agrees to direct negotiations. Their demands include extending the rank list tenure and addressing vacancies in police stations.
During discussions with senior police officials, candidates urged for increased pressure on the government. However, with no compromise forthcoming, candidates are adamant about continuing their protest. They pointed out that out of the 13,975 positions across seven state battalions, only 3,326 have been filled from the rank list.
As the strike enters its third week without government intervention, candidates and their families have intensified their protest. Recently, they blockaded the Secretariat road for seven hours, leading to distressing scenes as some mothers fainted due to the harsh sun, and toddlers suffered. Even though the Chief of Police was willing to engage in dialogue, protesters refused to lift the blockade until a satisfactory solution was reached. Subsequently, allegations surfaced of the police disseminating fake and exaggerated figures on social media, further complicating the already tense standoff.
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