Home Guards protest seeking poll duty payment

The trouble started when the Home Guard personnel, who were posted in Telangana for the past eight days during elections, returned to city and went to receive their payment at their office in Rajarathinam stadium. The officers allegedly told personnel that they would be paid only after receiving payment from the neighbouring State, which was expected only after the new government took charge.

According to one of the protesters, when they were sent to Telangana, the officers had promised immediate payment on surrendering the poll duty ID cards. However, they backtracked after the personnel followed the orders, he added. “The officers said that there is no money right now and that we will receive payment only after the new government in Telangana sanctions fund for our service,” said a Home Guardsman.

What worsened the already frayed tempers was when a few police officers and Armed Reserve personnel allegedly pushed Home Guard personnel out and threatened them when they arrived at the Rajarathinam stadium. Agitated over this, the personnel sat in front the stadium on Rukmani Lakshmipathi Road and raisedslogans.

Manjit Singh, Assistant Commandant General of Home Guards, Chennai reached the spot and held peace talks with the personnel. He promised that recommendation to the government about making their work permanent will be made and the money for their election duty in Telangana will be provided within a week, after which the protesters dispersed.