Oppressed: Private security guards protecting all but own interests...

He is the first person to greet us and open the door when we visit any mall, an ATM, a bank, a hotel or an office. And this person is always seen wearing a smile on his face. This man is a security guard, mostly spotted in a 'khaki' uniform. Ever thought what a guard earns for his 12-hour-a-day job. A pittance of Rs. 3,000 to Rs. 4,000 a month. 

 

Organisations hire guards from private security agencies. These agencies pay less than half the amount that they charge from their clients. 

 

A guard on a condition of anonymity said that he stands for 12 long hours (from 11 am to 11 pm) at the entrance of a mall and is paid just Rs. 3,000 per month. 

 

“We are made to sign a paper which stated that we would be paid a salary of Rs. 6,500, but we are paid less than half of it,” he added. 

 

Another elderly security guard posted at a monument in the city said, “I am paid Rs. 3,500 out of which, Rs. 350 is deducted as provident fund. It has been five years since I am with this agency. Once I needed the PF amount after my son’s demise, but they said there was nothing in my account. After my son’s death, I have six mouths to feed and meeting ends is hard for me with this small amount. They don’t pay the salary on time either.” 

 

He also said that he even had a word with the agency’s owner but he turned down his request stating that this might cost him the job.

 

However, security agency owners refute the charges of exploitation. 

 

Rajesh Shekhawat, owner of Leader Star Security Agency in Jaipur, said, “All this isn’t correct. No forgery is done in documents while hiring guards. We pay them good money. I don’t know about other agencies but I pay between Rs. 6,500 to Rs. 7,500 per month to every guard. They (guards) are told at the time of joining that they will be paid a particular sum of money.” 

 

A survey done in the year 2012 had revealed that none of the security guards receive more than Rs. 4,000 per month. There are more than 100 security agencies running in Jaipur and over 500 in whole of Rajasthan

Source: http://daily.bhaskar.com/article/RAJ-JPR-oppressed-private-security-men-guarding-all-but-own-interests-4328137-NOR.html

‘Training schools needed for pvt security guards’

 There is a need to impart training to private security guards through special schools, as their role is growing in guarding commercial establishments, offices, ATMs, companies and malls, according to Swaranjit Sen, former DGP of Andhra Pradesh and chief adviser to the AP Private Security Association.

He was addressing a security awareness programme, organised by the association here on Sunday. He said there was little awareness about the role played by security guards and they were not getting the respect due to them and they were also being denied fair wages.

“All these things should change and we should set up schools to train guards. There should be some minimum qualification for becoming a guard. There should be a degree course specifically for them. Their role is complementary to that of the police. In guarding properties and curbing crime, their role cannot be overemphasised,” he said. He said the general impression that ex-servicemen would make good security guards was also not correct. “We should take all necessary steps to produce efficient, reliable security guards and it also opens up many employment opportunities for the youth,” he added. Association State President C. Bhaskar Reddy said there were around 1,500 security agencies in the State employing four lakh guards. He said there were 1,20,000 police personnel in the State and the police force was grossly inadequate and, therefore, the role of private guards was all the more important.

The association was taking all steps to increase the skill levels of the guards. However, he regretted, “there is no respect for a security guard in society and the crucial role he/she plays.” He said the Union Government had enacted a special law for security guards and it was being implemented in 23 States and the AP Government should also take steps in that direction. Induction of new technology for foolproof security, employment of armed guards, recruitment and antecedents verification for private companies, and training were some of the key issues, he added. Referring to service tax, he said it was a major problem. “We are paying 12.3 per cent service tax on the salaries paid to security guards and the Government should consider our demand for waiver,” he said. V. Amarnath, Vice-President of the association, Lt. Col (Retd) K.S. Rao, Joint Secretary, D.S Reddy, Secretary, and others spoke.

Source: http://www.thehindubusinessline.com/news/states/training-schools-needed-for-pvt-security-guards/article4963656.ece

Private security guards not chowkidars, says ex-DGP Swaranjit Sen

Retired Director General of Police Swaranjit Sen on Sunday said there was an urgent need to put an end to viewing private security guards as ‘chowkidars’ and mooted introduction of a degree course in security.

Stating that it was a highly specialised field, he told a regional conference of Andhra Pradesh Private Security Association (APPSA) here that steps should be taken to make them efficient and professional to supplement the effort of the police and paramilitary forces. On his proposal to introduce degree course in security, he said for those selected for recruitment in police department need not go for a time-taking training programme if they could obtain such a qualification before their induction. Mr. Sen, who is the chief advisor to APPSA, said he had already spoken to the Home Secretary and he had promised to amend the Andhra Pradesh Private Securities (Regulation) Rules, 2008. The country had 75 lakh employees engaged in private security and hence they deserved much better treatment. He said due to changing scenario, the security arena had emerged as highly challenging. APPSA president C. Bhaskar Reddy said the association was trying to sensitise the promoters of security agencies to give decent wages and statutory benefits like provident fund and ESI and recruit freshers after training them properly.

Source: http://www.thehindu.com/news/cities/Visakhapatnam/private-security-guards-not-chowkidars-says-exdgp-swaranjit-sen/article4966088.ece

Mahabodhi private security under scanner: Nitish

The role of private security guards deployed at the Mahabodhi temple complex in Bodh Gaya is under NIA scrutiny in connection with Sunday’s serial blasts, chief minister Nitish Kumar said in Patna on Thursday.

“LPG cylinders were used in the blasts inside the temple complex. Were they brought inside to cook food?” a laconic Kumar said when asked if police lapses had led to the serial blasts.
Bodh Gaya was rocked by serial blasts early morning on Sunday in which two monks were injured. Four of the 10 blasts took place inside the temple complex.

He was trying to emphasise the point that the temple management had engaged a private security agency (Cobra) for temple security and the police only provided “cover” to the agency, from outside the complex.
“Any lapse in the security should be accepted by all concerned and comprehensive measures should be taken to remedy the shortcomings,” he added.
Despite the reservations expressed by the Union home minister Sushilkumar Shinde about Bihar’s formal request seeking deployment of CISF at the temple, Kumar reiterated the demand.
“The Mahabodhi temple is different from other religious shrines as it attracts a lot of Buddhist pilgrims from across the world. As such, the centre should consider its case on a stand-alone basis”, he argued.
Kumar welcomed Wednesday’s Supreme Court order that would lead to disqualification of MPs and legislators from their elected positions as soon as they were convicted in any case, allowing for imprisonment of two years or more.
“The verdict is good for the health of the country’s body politic,” the chief minister said. He demanded steps for early enforcement of the apex court order.

Source: http://www.hindustantimes.com/India-news/Patna/Mahabodhi-private-security-under-scanner-Nitish/Article1-1090783.aspx

Cops take battle against terror to schools, hospitals

Following Indian Mujahideen's threat to attack Mumbai on July 21 and the serial blasts at BodhGaya, the city police are going all out to ensure that no area is vulnerable.

Men in khaki have been boarding buses and visiting schools, colleges as well as hospitals, asking people to remain alert and inform them about suspicious activities and persons. Policemen have also been telling citizens what to do in case of a terror strike.

"People at hospitals and schools were surprised when we visited them. But we told them that anything can happen anywhere and it's important for each of us to stay alert and not spread rumours," a senior officer said.

Mumbai commissioner Satya Paul Singh called a meeting of officers of the rank of deputy police commissioner and above on Wednesday to discuss the terror alert and assess the force's preparedness.

After the July 7 Bodh Gaya blasts, IM posted on a micro-blogging site that its next target would be Mumbai. In May, the Western Naval command headquarters had alerted the city police about the threat of a bomb attack on the US Consulate here on July 21. Members of a terrorist module busted earlier had told central intelligence agencies about the places they had recced for a strike in Mumbai. The police have since increased security at these places.

"Terrorists mostly target public places to cause maximum damage and get maximum attention. It is not possible for police officers to be present at all the places at all times. It is, therefore, important that citizens remain alert. This will deter the terrorists," said another officer.

The police have also removed hawkers from vulnerable places and instructed housing societies to deploy private security guards as well as instal CCTV cameras. "We are doing our best to tackle terrorism. At the same time, we expect people's active participation," said deputy police commissioner (Zone-9) Chhering Dorje.

Police personnel have been distributing pamphlets listing dos and don'ts (see box) and running ads on cable TV and multiplexes, exhorting citizens to be aware of their sorroundings while travelling in trains and exercise caution. Mock drills at crowded places

are also being conducted.

to assess the police's conducting mock drills after regular interval at crowded public places. "The terrorist do dry run before planting the explosives. If the people remain alert and questions the suspects, it will deter the terrorist to execute the operation" said an officer.

Dos and Don'ts

Inform the police about suspicious objects, vehicles and persons

While giving your property out on rent, verify all the details of the lessee

Keep an eye on your surroundings while travelling in train or bus and inform the police if you find any unattended bag

Don't touch unattended suspicious bag/boxes

Don't create panic and don't spread rumours

Don't rent the house to unknown persons  





Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/mumbai/Cops-take-battle-against-terror-to-schools-hospitals/articleshow/21175793.cms 

Private security guards removed from Bodh Gaya temple

Taking strong note of security lapses resulting in serial bomb blasts in Maha Bodhi temple recently, the service of the private security company within the temple premises has been terminated.

Maha Bodhi Temple Management Committee (BTMC) took decision to terminate contract of private security company "COBRA" for lapses that resulted in explosions within the temple on July 7 wounding two monks.

The BTMC took strong exception to the fact that while the blasts took place after 5:30 AM on that day, why the guards of the security company who are supposed to be on duty from 5 AM in the morning, did not see bags carrying bombs kept near Maha Bodhi tree and elsewhere within the shrine premises, BTMC member Arvind Kar said today.

He said the committee served a month's notice to the company to pack off from the temple.

COBRA had been assigned the job of security within the temple since 2009. The outer security was in the hands of Bihar police earlier.

With COBRA security guards withdrawn, security guards of BTMC are assisting the Bihar Military Police (BMP) personnel in providing security to the international Buddhist shrine.

Sources in the BTMC said despite previous alerts, some meetings by senior police and civil officers were conducted with the secretary or chairman of the committee but a meeting of the full bench of the BTMC was never conducted to review security arrangements.

Source: http://www.business-standard.com/article/pti-stories/private-security-guards-removed-from-bodh-gaya-temple-113071600506_1.html

How to hire a Private Security Guard

Instructions

1. • 1
     Contract with your local law enforcement agency to supply an off-duty officer. Law enforcement officers have already been screened at the least for a criminal background and references from past jobs. These officers also have experience dealing with the public and are more apt to keep a calm head in a dangerous situation.
     
   • 2
     Contract with a security agency that has a trustworthy reputation. Work with the larger agencies, which generally have a larger selection of better-trained officers. Big firms are more likely to fire troublesome and unreliable employees, too.
     

Place the responsibility of background checks and training on the contracting agency. This makes the security firm accountable if one of its security guards turns out to be an ex-con with a penchant for breaking and entering.

4

Set the terms of employment at the outset. Establish "post orders" such as no smoking, sleeping, TV and horseplay to outline your expectations from security guards. Require security guards to keep a detailed log of their activities. For example, don't accept: "1:30 a.m., nothing to report," but "1:30 a.m. walked south perimeter to investigate noise; nothing found."

5

Establish patrol routes that you want covered by the security firm's services. Don't make the area for drive-through patrols too broad, though, or the security guards will drive too fast in order to cover the whole area.

6

Request the security firm's proof of indemnity insurance and a copy of its license. Ask that you be added to its policy to protect you from any negligence on the part of its security guards. The same applies for any vehicles driven by employees of the security firm.

7

Read the fine print in the contract carefully to make sure you won't be held liable for any accidents, either those caused by the security guards or suffered by them while on your property.

8

Require the contracting company to provide its guards with uniforms and anything else they need for the job, including flashlights, notebooks, pens and hand-held radios. Make sure this is written into the contract.

Read more: http://www.ehow.com/how_5903669_hire-security-guard.html#ixzz2YuA4c57a

Unhappy with police arrangements, blast-wary Delhi markets hire private security guards for the festival season

Diwali is only two days away and city markets are packed with shoppers. But shopowners - the memories of the 2005 serial blasts just before the festival still fresh in their minds - are worried about the unsatisfactory security measures at city markets, including the Sarojini Nagar market that bore the brunt of the 2005 attack.

Unhappy with the security measures taken by the Delhi Police markets such as Lajpat Nagar, targeted by terrorists in 1996, and Connaught Place have hired private security agencies for the shopping season. "Though the police have assured stringent security measures, shopowners in several blocks at Connaught Place want to be doubly sure of the security and have hired private security guards for the festival season," said Atul Bhargava, president of the New Delhi Traders' Association.

Shopkeepers at the Lajpat Nagar market, where terrorists triggered an explosion that killed 13 people and injured 39 others in 1996, has also hired private security guards. While the gates of the market are manned by the police with door frame metal detectors and policemen on watchtowers keep an eye on visitors, the market association has deployed teams of two to three guards in every block.

"We have spoken to police officers and demanded better security as the Lajpat Nagar market has already been targeted by terrorists in the past. We have also told them about our plan to deploy private guards to strengthen the security of the place," said K.S. Baxi, president of the Lajpat Nagar Traders' Association. It was right outside his shop where the bomb went off in 1996.

Shopowners at the upmarket Khan Market, often called India's Fifth Avenue and a favourite shopping destination of the city's well-heeled, too have hired four private security guards to assist the constables deployed by the Delhi Police.

In some areas of the market, police have asked shopkeepers not to display or sell wares outside their shops, annoying the traders who say this was affecting footfall. "This is a market that is guarded at all times by 12 head constables and an equal number of constables of the Delhi Police. I don't understand the reason for asking us to not display goods outside," said Sanjiv Mehra, president of the Khan Market Traders' Association.

The security measures taken by the police at city markets are the usual installation of door frame metal detectors and deployment of policemen at the gates who frisk visitors with hand-held scanners.

CCTV cameras have been installed at only 28 of the hundreds of markets in the city. Security measures are almost non-existent at Sarojini Nagar, which bore the brunt of the explosions during the October 29, 2005, serial blasts in Delhi. Seven years later, the market remains as vulnerable.

The market is open on all sides unlike other markets in NDMC areas, which have permanent boundary walls. Only one gate has a door frame metal detector. A shopowner said the market association had hired 20 private guards but they were sacked following police pressure.

Traders have complained to the NDMC and the police several times about the lack of a permanent boundary wall. "About 700 hawkers enter the market, sell their goods and leave at their own sweet will," said Ashok Randhawa, president of the Sarojini Nagar Mini-market Association.

Source: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhis-sarojini-nagar-market-braces-up-for-diwali-amid-high-level-security-arrangements/1/228662.html

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/delhis-sarojini-nagar-market-braces-up-for-diwali-amid-high-level-security-arrangements/1/228662.html

Civic body to deploy private security guards in hospitals due to lack of enough female home sguards

The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), which had earlier decided to deploy home guards at its hospitals and maternity homes, will now be hiring private security guards.
The civic body's plans to have home guards did not work as it requires women security personnel for hospitals. It is now seeking the help of private agencies through e-tenders.



 In mid-February, the NMC's medical department had put forth a proposal to deploy 140 security guards in hospitals and maternity homes as a precautionary measure to prevent theft of newborn babies. The decision came after receiving instructions from the state government following cases of baby-lifting in hospitals.
Deputy municipal commissioner (octroi) and security in-charge of NMC, Haribhau Phadol said, "We had asked for home guards for security purposes and also requested the Suraksha Mandal for the same. Security is needed at our hospitals and schools. However, we did not get any response from home guards and the Suraksha Mandal does not have any female security staff. Moreover, during occasions like Shivaji Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti and Ganesh Chaturthi, home guards are withdrawn. So, we have decided to ask for well-trained security from private agencies."


 He said that there has been a demand for security guards in NMC schools as well. "We need women security in hospitals but for schools we can get security men. We will ask for 70-80 security guards from the Suraksha Mandal for schools and places where they will be required. Soon 20-25 of our security guards will become free from octroi posts when the local body tax replaces octroi. We can also post them in schools," Phadol added.
A G Wabale, staff officer of Nashik home guards said that the NMC required more female security guards in their hospitals and that the home guards had fewer women staff. The NMC has invited e-tenders till May 18 and centres for filing these will be opened in front of the official representative of the private security agency.
Nashik
The Nashik Municipal Corporation (NMC), which had decided to deploy Homeguards at its hospitals and maternity homes, has now decided to hire private security guards as adequate number of female homeguards are not available.
In mid-February, the NMC's medical department had put up a proposal of deploying 140 security guards in hospitals and maternity homes as a precautionary measure to prevent stealing of newborn babies. The decision came in the wake of the directions of the state government following cases of baby-lifting in hospitals elsewhere.
But the civic body's plans to get home guards for the purpose did not work out and it is now seeking the help of private agency through e-tenders.
Deputy municipal commissioner (Octroi) and security in-charge of the NMC, Haribhau Phadol informed, "We had asked for security from home guards and from Suraksha Mandal for our hospitals and schools but we did not get any response from homeguards and Suraksha Mandal does not have female security staff. Moreover, during occasions like Shivaji Jayanti, Ambedkar Jayanti and Ganesh Chaturthi, the home guards are withdrawn. So, we have decided to ask for well-trained security from a private agency."

  He said that with the summer vacations now, there has been a demand for security guards in the NMC schools as well. "We need women security in hospitals but for schools we can have male security guards. So we are going to ask for 70-80 security guards from Suraksha Mandal for schools and at places where it is required. Soon 20-25 of our security guards will become free from the octroi posts when local body tax replaces octroi. We can also post them in schools," said Phadol.
When contacted, the Staff officer of Homeguards, Nashik, A G Wabale said that the NMC required more of female security guards in their hospitals and that the homeguards had less number of women staff.
Meanwhile, the NMC has invited e-tenders till May 18 which will be opened in front of the official representative of the private security agency.

Source: http://articles.timesofindia.indiatimes.com/2013-05-14/nashik/39254880_1_haribhau-phadol-home-guards-nashik-municipal-corporation

I need a card driver in Delhi

This is the biggest requirement in Delhi and Gurgaon given the scenario of traffic that has increased at an alarming rate in Delhi NCr. Car Drivers can be a savior during such traffic jams , you can sit back and work on other things to continue your life at ease.

Car Drivers also save you from any accident related road rage that has become prevalent in Delhi.

Finding a well trained car driver who can drive you automatic cars as well can be very difficult. Denetim Services provides car drivers that can drive all kinds of cars including AUDI, Range Rover, BMW and are also English Speaking.

Please view the video below for more details:

Katrina Kaif to increase her security

Katrina Kaif

The bigger the star, the bigger the fan following and so is the case with the svelte beauty Katrina Kaif. Recently while shooting for Ali Abbas Zafar's Mere Brother Ki Dulhan in Patiala some fans followed her to her hotel and proposed marriage to her. 

As the actor was just planning to beef up her security another incident left her scared. A few days back she was shooting for the same movie in Delhi, near Jama Masjid, the crowd went berserk at her sight. 

The crowd began increasing at an alarming rate and the security personnel at the spot were unable to manage the crowd. Poor Katrina got mobbed in the process. She really got scared and so did her co-star Imran Khan.

Read more at: http://indiatoday.intoday.in/story/katrina-kaif-to-increase-her-security/1/119507.html

Bollywood bodyguards can't shoot straight

If a report by a bodyguard-training institute is to be believed, then most Bollywood bigwigs -- supposedly cocooned in their fortified world -- may be actually living in a false sense of security. Many of these bodyguards, responsible for the protection of film industry celebrities, do not possess the requisite skill sets to make them a safe pair of hands that can be relied on, so says the report released by Lethal Force Institute, Pune, which organises training at a firing range for security personnel from various agencies.
Forget that they can not accurately hit a human-sized target on the firing range from a distance of 30 metres, most weapons possessed by these bodyguards are so ill-maintained that even feigning to use them would require some grease to keep the squeaks out, said the report.
'Flawed' security

Bodyguards of various Bollywood celebs can't hit human-sized target only 30 metres away.

Citing a recent example of the wedding of an actress held in Khandala, the report said most celebrities who attended the extravaganza with their bodyguards were actually given flawed security, which means the people on whom lay the onus of protecting the glitterati were far from capable of doing so. The agency made these observations based on a training session held by it.
At least 12 bodyguards present at the training session were employees of big guns in Bollywood. A Y Kulkarni, the director of the training institute, said most of these guards seemed to be troubled and sweating even in the cold weather. The training session was repeated after three months and six more private guards associated with an important establishment in Mumbai participated in it. The results were no different this time as well, said Kulkarni.
The results
Only three out of the 12 guards present at the earlier session could send 50 per cent of their shots into the human-sized targets, that too at a distance of just 30 metres. The rest could not even hit anywhere within six feet of the target. Three of their weapons were not in working condition at all and needed major repairs, said the report.
"The weapons were not well-maintained and useless to fire shots. Secondly, the entries of the ammunition purchased by the private bodyguards showed that it was bought from five to 13 years ago. Naturally, very few could produce the desired results and were incapable of firing properly or misfired owing to their age," Kulkarni said. "Some of the cartridges could not pass through the barrels of the hand weapon or jammed into the barrels making the weapon useless."
The survey of the agencies involved in providing private security guards showed that almost all VIPs appoint at least three to six guards on shift basis. A guard's payment starts at Rs 35,000 and goes up to over a lakh per month in case of emergency situations.
"The institutes or people who are hiring or employing guards should first peruse the reports on their weapons, firing ability, and physical and mental readiness," Kulkarni said.
The Other Side
A private bodyguard of an actor in Bollywood, speaking on condition of anonymity, told MiD DAY that only a few guards were directly appointed by the celebrities. "People with a sturdy body and personality are often appointed by the agencies to become private bodyguards. I will not be able to comment on the skill sets they possess. As far as I am concerned, I am a black belt in karate and possess all the skills required to do the job I am selected for," he said.
Actor Ronit Roy, who heads the Ace Security and Protection company that provides private security to about 90 per cent of the celebrities, said: "Our company Dynamic Alternatives is a South Africa-based company with operations in India. As far as firing practice is concerned, there are firing ranges in Mumbai. Our trainers fly in every three to six months to train our armed guards in firing."
Asked if all the armed bodyguards of celebrities have enough firing practice, he said: "I will not be able to comment on this issue." He also refused to divulge information on how many armed private bodyguards his company provided.

Source: http://ibnlive.in.com/news/bollywood-bodyguards-cant-shoot-straight/149821-8-66.html

Indian women buyers rev up luxury car market

Luxury car makers are increasingly trying to connect with women buyers to boost sales

Marketers call it the she-conomy. But for luxury car brands, it's simply a new niche to crack in their search for volumes. India's women consumers are now showing increasing interest in luxury cars. As more and more companies target this segment with products and services customized to cater to women car buyers, their numbers are beginning to make business sense. "Take Mercedes Benz whose stable of sedans and SUVs earlier attracted a small number of women buyers. According to a company survey in 2011, just 5% of all Merc buyers were women. But that trend is beginning to change thanks to the new A Class, launched end May this year. Said

Eberhard Kern, managing director & CEO, Mercedes Benz India: "The A Class is attracting a completely new class of customers that is typically between 25-35 years old and the share of women buyers is much higher than other models. Nearly all A Class buyers are self drivers and surprisingly they are spread all over India, both in metros as well as in Tier II or III cities."

Arch rival BMW's X range of SUVs are attractive for women for several reasons. "Women prefer models like the X1 because of a combination of reasons, the automatic is a big draw, the cars are easy to control and the run-flat tyres means they don't need to stop and change if there's a puncture," said the BMW spokesman.

Ditto for Lamborgini which, said head of operations Pavan Shetty, has "recently started getting some enquiries from women prospects but mostly from metros. We had a few women enthusiasts participate in the track experience in Delhi and we were pleasantly surprised with the comfort with which they drove. With the luxury car segment slowly maturing in India, we expect the number of lady drivers of luxury cars to catch up," added Shetty.

Said Michael Perschke, head, Audi India: "A good number of luxury SUVs are being purchased by women in India and hence this is one of the special target segments for the brand. As part of our marketing activities, we also engage with our women audience with exclusive initiatives like the "The Audi Women's Power Drive", which brought together successful women from all walks of life to drive the Audi Q3, Audi Q5 and Audi Q7across intense, challenging terrains."

Source: http://www.zigwheels.com/news-features/news/indian-women-buyers-rev-up-luxury-car-market/16760/

Unsafe Capital: Ugandan woman fends off molesters after they tear her clothes in moving car

A Ugandan woman was molested in a car by two hotel management graduates, along with two others, after she took a lift in their vehicle for coming back home from Gurgaon, police said on Saturday. All four accused have been arrested.

 

“The incident took place on Friday night when the victim was returning to her rented house in south Delhi's Chhatarpur area,” police sources said. 

 

According to her complaint, the accused had also tore her clothes while allegedly trying to rape her.

 

Fortunately, she showed 'rare courage', managed to drag him out of the vehicle with herself near west Delhi's Mahipalpur area.

 

The accused were identified as Prakhar, Gagandeep, Sidesh and Swapnil, aged between 25-30. Three of them were arrested on Saturday from different places in Delhi. 

 

"All the accused belong to east Delhi's Mayur Vihar area. Two of them are said to be hotel management graduates," a police officer told a news agency.

 

The victim, who had come to Delhi in March, had gone to a night club at Bristol Hotel in Gurgaon, where she befriended the accused.

 

"While returning from there, she was looking to hire a cab. The accused offered her a lift in their car and started molesting her on the way. On resisting the harassment, the accused beat her up and inflicted scratches on her body," said the officer. 

 

The victim bravely fought the accused and also raised an alarm. 

 

"Near Mahipalpur, the accused tried to dump the victim out of the vehicle but she managed to drag one of them out of the car along with her, while the other three accused escaped," a police officer disclosed. 

 

In the meantime, the woman is said to have managed to make a call to police and one of the accused was arrested from the spot.

 

The co-accused were arrested following his questioning.

Source: daily.bhaskar.com/article/DEL-new-delhi-ugandan-women-fends-off-molesters-after-they-tear-her-clothes-in-movin-4313305-NOR.html

FICCI seeks classification of security guards as skilled workers

eport by India Education bureau, New Delhi: Despite performing work that requires special skills and training, the private security guards continue to languish on minimum wages as unskilled workers. To ameliorate their plight and give the private security sector a boost, FICCI urged the Ministry of Labour and Employment to take steps to categorise security guards as skilled workers in the Central and State Minimum Wages Acts.

The private security sector operates across over 550 districts in the country, directly employing over 50 lakh individuals, with an approximate turnover of Rs. 20,000 crore. 

This makes private security industry amongst one of the largest employment generating sectors in the country. The industry is involved in highly skilled jobs like access control using baggage X-ray machines and metal detection equipment at five star hotels or guarding industrial complexes through use of CCTV surveillance systems or managing entry/exit of thousands of workers and vehicles outside IT parks or managing complex functions at private ports and airports.

Despite the vast scale of operations across India and the volume of employment generation, the sector has not received its due attention from the government. The model rules framed under the Private Security Agency Regulation Act 2005, the nodal Act for the industry clearly defines eligibility criteria for private security guards and supervisors and also details the subjects that need to be covered under the training programmes of private security workers.

The Act clearly stipulates a minimum of 160 hours of training for private security guards describing them as trained workers in multiple sections of the Act.

Regardless of performing highly skilled functions, the private security guard continues to be categorised as ‘unskilled worker’ and draws wages as per state minimum wages for ‘unskilled category’. Even the Central Minimum wages notification No. SO 2232 (E) & 2233 dated 18.09.2008, private security guards are categorised as semi-skilled workers. 

This is not only gross injustice to over 50 lakh plus workers employed in the sector but also in direct contravention to the laws of the land and directives of the Supreme Court of India. Going by the job descriptions and job specification of the security personnel as mentioned above and under the law, it goes without saying that the un-armed security guards undoubtedly satisfy the definition of ‘skilled work’ and the security supervisors as well as armed guards satisfy the definition of ‘highly skilled work’.

FICCI has also requested the government to form a special ‘Task Force’ under the Ministry of Labour & Employment, with representation from the industry to look into the issues affecting the private security workers. If accepted the recommendations shall directly enhance the lives of over 2.5 crore Indians who are directly dependent on the workers of the private security industry.

Source: http://indiaeducationdiary.in/Shownews.asp?newsid=23626

Six private security guards held in Rajkot for keeping illegal arms

Six private security guards hailing from UP were arrested by the Special Operation Group (SOG) in Rajkot early Thursday morning for allegedly possessing 14 rifles and 48 cartridges allegedly on forged licences.
They were held after SOG conducted an operation to verify weapon licences of private security guards.
Those arrested were identified as Rustomsingh Balvirsinh, Vishnudev Yadav, Shailendrasingh Chauhan, Birensingh Tomar, Rajpalsingh Ramavat and Umeshsingh Chauhan.
SOG seized three rifles and 15 live cartridges from Rustomsingh, two from Shailendrasingh, and one each from Vishnudev, Birensingh, Rajpalsingh and Umeshsingh.
Following the operation, two others identified as Vinodsingh Shivratansingh and Premchand Ramswarupsingh managed to escape. However, the SOG seized five rifles from their residences in the city.
"The arrests were made after we got verification from district magistrates of Mainpuri and Kanpur districts in UP that they did not issue the said licences," said SOG police inspector Jaydipsinh Sarvaiya.
"The licences of these guards were originally issued in the name of other persons in UP and were valid for that state only. The guards used the original licences to forge permits valid in the entire country on the basis of which they purchased arms," said SOG sub-inspector Bhagirathsinh Gohil who carried out the drive.
During interrogation, the guards told the police they had procured the licences from Ramvirsingh Rajput, a resident of Fadalpur village of Mainpuri district in UP, to secure better paying jobs.
However, Rajput is yet to be apprehended.
These guards were hired by three prominent private security agencies in the city, which are also under the scanner, city police commissioner Harjeshwar Singh said.
"The guards did not inform local police of their arms and licences as required by law. The security agencies hired them without verifying if the guards had completed this formality. We are making cases against the agencies and would seek suspension of their licences," Singh said

Source: http://www.indianexpress.com/news/six-private-security-guards-held-in-rajkot-for-keeping-illegal-arms/1126186/

Cops to keep eye on security agencies

Come 2014, and Karnataka will be the first state in the country to provide a database of security personnel, including their family background, previous employer, reason for quitting, and more importantly, biometric details.

Additional director general of police (ADGP), internal security, Karnataka, will be the 'controller' of these security agencies and their employees, keeping an eagle eye on the activities of the security personnel deployed at different organizations in various capacities.

The website database will contain details of their family background and will help trace those with criminal antecedents. Besides, the site will double as a complaint box where the public can drop in their grievances.

Bhaskar Rao, inspector general of police, internal security, told TOI they are in the process of setting up the database and collecting details of various security agencies from across the state. "There are a total of 1,500 security agencies across Karnataka and 950 of them are licensed. A total of 4.65 lakh employees work as security personnel in different private organizations," he told TOI.

Rao feels when the police department has a disciplined database of its staff, there should be one for security personnel too, who are greater in number. "There are nearly 1lakh police personnel across Karnataka, ranging from DG-IGP to police constable, whereas security personnel are almost five times more," he said. Rao said the website is yet to be named.

DATA WILL HELP COPS AND PUBLIC

The website will contain a detailed history of security personnel. The data will reveal the entire history of the staff, including their family background. This will help us trace personnel with criminal backgrounds and filter them. It will also help us recruit people with a clean background.

Bhaskar Rao | igp, internal security

I welcome the step to set up a database. The system will help keep criminals at bay, and public confidence in security agencies will go up.

KP Nagesh | president, karnataka security service association

It's a good decision and will benefit society. Many security personnel have been involved in anti-social activities and even heinous crimes like murder. Recently, a couple of security guards were arrested for stealing money from ATMs. Such things will now come down drastically. The personnel will also be careful, as they know they are under the scanner. Employers can also check out the background of the candidates and hire them accordingly.

Kamal Pant | additional commissioner of police (law and order)

KNOW YOUR SECURITY GUARD

* There are 10 levels of employment in security agencies, from guard to manager or managing director

* Categories: Security guard, head security guard, supervisor, assistant security officer, security assistant manager, field officer, field manager, area manager, manager or managing director

* Minimum education: SSLC or Class X or equivalent course

* Salary: Starts at Rs 9,000, goes up to Rs 50,000

NUMBERS IN KARNATAKA

Personnel: 4.65 lakh

Agencies: 1,500

Licensed agencies: 950

Non-licensed agencies: 550

Source: http://timesofindia.indiatimes.com/city/bangalore/Cops-to-keep-eye-on-security-agencies/articleshow/20904200.cms