HRW found that since mid-2005 the Chhattisgarh police have recruited and used an unknown number of children among the more than 3,500 Naxalites in Dantewada and Bijapur districts of southern Chhattisgarh. Most SPOs are recruited from indigenous tribal communities that have been displaced to Salwa Judum camps.
They assist government security forces in counter-Naxalite paramilitary operations in the region. Many eyewitnesses of joint raids by government security forces and Salwa Judum members described seeing dozens of children dressed in police uniforms armed with rifles.
Several camp residents recounted how police and Salwa Judum members urged them and other children to enroll as SPOs, and they recounted recognising children who were school dropouts serving as SPOs.
In late 2007, the Chhattisgarh police admitted to HRW that they had accidentally recruited underage SPOs, but claimed that they had since then removed around 150 officers from the ranks, including children.
Image: Most special police officers have been enrolled without adequate age documentation.
Also read: Who are the Naxalites
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