Fresh Training at Own Cost Triggers Strong Reactions Among SPOs in West Tripura: Allegations of Neglect, Extra Burden and Unfair Practices Resurface
By Our Correspondent
Agartala, December 4, 2025
A new directive issued by the West Tripura police administration has sparked a fresh wave of dissatisfaction among Special Police Officers (SPOs), who allege that they are being forced to bear an unfair financial and administrative burden.
Notably, the monthly salary for a Special Police Officer (SPO) in Tripura is approximately Rs. 12000, as of a September, 2024 government decision. An older announcement from 2020 listed the monthly honorarium for SPOs as Rs. 6,156, which was later increased twice for 3774 SPOs. But the controversy erupted after the police department instructed old SPOs to undergo refresher training at their own expense, despite the fact that no new SPOs have been recruited in the past two years.
The first batch of this newly mandated refresher training for West District SPOs commenced on December 4, 2025, at the AD Nagar Police Line, Agartala. In a formal order, the Superintendent of Police, West Tripura, directed each police station and outpost to nominate a fixed number of SPOs for participation. As per the notice, trainees were required to report to the Line Subedar by the afternoon of December 3, without fail, and deposit Rs. 1,000 as mess advance.
Along with the monetary contribution, each SPO was instructed to bring a white T-shirt, blue track pant, brown PT shoes, and two sets of khaki uniforms for drill and musketry practice adding to their personal expenditure.
Although refresher training is being organised across several districts in Tripura, West District has introduced an additional round, which many SPOs say has intensified their frustration and sense of injustice.
SPOs have long raised concerns about their pay scale, arguing that despite performing duties similar to regular police personnel, they receive significantly lower wages. They point out that the Supreme Court has consistently upheld the principle of equal pay for equal work, yet Tripura’s SPOs continue to be excluded from this benefit. Instead, they are now being directed to fund their own training, a move they describe as both unfair and insensitive.
Several SPOs expressed that while they acknowledge the importance of periodic training, the government should first address their low salaries, lack of job security, and inadequate working conditions. According to them, forcing financially stressed personnel to spend from their own pockets, when they are already struggling, reflects poor administrative planning and a lack of empathy.
On the ground, SPOs form a crucial part of the state’s policing system, assisting in maintaining law and order and supporting regular police units in sensitive duties. Many feel that unless the government acts swiftly to resolve long-pending grievances, especially in light of this contentious training mandate, morale among SPOs may decline further.
Personnel emphasize that addressing their demands is not only about welfare but also essential for strengthening field-level policing across Tripura. They hope the administration will take a proactive stance to correct what they view as a growing sense of neglect and restore trust within the SPO community.
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