Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (SB)

Mangaluru, Jun 1: Hundreds of home guards gathered in front of the home guards' office at Mary Hill here protesting against the order passed by the government to cut down jobs.

The state government decided to cut down the number of home guards due to the lockdown which would render many home guards jobless. In Mangaluru, about 250 home guards are employed under the superintendent of police and about 153 under the police commissioner. With the order passed, about 223 of them are likely to lose their jobs from both the departments combined.

Commander of district home guards, Murali Mohan Choontaru attempted to pacify the agitators and assured them to take up the matter with the higher authorities. He suggested in employing them on rotational basis with half salary, but the guards continued their demand of full time employment with full pay.

A female guard protesting said, "We received hike in our salaries three months ago. We are not demanding the revised salary. We are ready to work for the old pay scale. But our demand is employment for full 30 days in a month. Officials have offered to pay half salary, but our pay itself is very less and if we get half of it, how are we going to sustain our lives? Since lockdown, we have not even received our salary.”

A police officer wanting to remain anonymous said, "As the rainy season has already started, there is greater requirement of home guards. In Mangaluru, home guards are known as angels during rainy season for the lifesaving services they render. So it is important the police commissioner and superintendent of police, reconsider the decision and take up the matter with the government and request to retain the home guards personnel."

The agitators are awaiting the arrival of higher police officers to discuss the matter directly.