Policemen on fast in Jamshedpur. Picture by Srinivas

Jamshedpur, June 22: It was work as usual for 350-odd police officers of East Singhbhum district but without food today.

The police officials under Jharkhand Police Association (JPA) observed a fast today which began from 6am and would continue till 6am next day.

JPA’s district president Birendra Kumar Paswan said the 24-hour fast was a token strike observed by the members of the association today in support of their long-standing demands.

“But if the state government do not pay heed to our demands then this token strike would turn into full-fledged agitation,” he said.

Paswan said around 6,000 police officials of the rank of assistant sub-inspector of police to police inspector have observed the fast.

Elaborating on the demand, the JPA president said the one of the demands is to raise the uniform allowance from Rs 1,965 to Rs 4,500.

“When constables in Jharkhand are getting Rs 3,100 as uniform allowance why should the officers get only Rs 1,965?” asked Paswan. He added that the ASI and inspectors of Bihar are also getting Rs 4,500 as uniform allowance.

Another demand is to raise the special allowance to 15 per cent of the basic salary for officials who are depu- ted in Naxalite-infested police stations.

“Policemen posted in these areas are getting the special allowance but those who are on deputation and are working for months together are not getting the special allowance which they are due to get,” said the JPA president.

Paswan said the police authorities in the state have flouted the rules of transfer of police officials also.

“In 2001, it had been resolved that the police officers would be transferred every three years but the rule is not being followed,” he said.

Paswan said they would work wearing black badges for two days from June 24 if their demands are not met before that and later they would intensify their agitation.

A police officer said: “It does not affect us to work without food for one day but it hampers the people who are diabetic or suffering from other ailments. We would continue with our agitation till our demands are met by the government.”