The agencies that put guards in Noida societies are sensitizing them on how to protect themselves if the situation turns violent; Many guards have left their jobs after the attacks
The agencies that put guards in Noida societies are sensitizing them on how to protect themselves if the situation turns violent; Many guards have left their jobs after the attacks
Ujjwal Shukla, 24, a resident of Hardoi, Uttar Pradesh, recently started working as an office assistant in a garment company.
The arts graduate said he got lucky with a new job after hastily leaving his old position as a security guard in a plush society in Noida. Asked what prompted him to change his job, Mr. Shukla said, “Managing a family of five with minimum wages and little or no respect is a difficult task.”
Mr Shukla was one of the guards who was attacked and abused by three women of Ajnara Green Homes in Noida Sector 121 on October 8. A woman, who was allegedly drunk, grabbed Mr. Shukla by his collar and threw his cap. While an FIR was registered and the women arrested, they were released on bail the next day.
“It wasn’t the first time they [the three women] We were abused. They abused us on October 1, when we were performing our duty to check every vehicle before allowing entry,” Mr Shukla said.
viral video
A video of the attack went viral on social media and an uproar ensued, following which the society asked the three women to vacate their flat.
For the guards, however, the video only caused “humiliation and embarrassment”. “My family asked me to change jobs after watching the clip,” Mr Shukla said.
Another guard Sachin Rana, who was working in the society for four years, also quit his job after the incident. He said he has applied for sales position to telecom companies.
This is not a one-off case. Several incidents of “verbal and physical harassment” of security guards in housing societies in Noida have been caught on CCTV cameras over the past few months. These attacks have prompted agencies to hire and hire security guards to learn how to deal with the situation if things get out of control.
Akash Srivastava, head of human resources, Samson Securitas Pvt Ltd, said that in the wake of the recent attacks, he has asked his security personnel to report to their field officer if they encounter bad behaviour. “If this does not help, they can approach their supervisor, security officer, society president or police depending on the gravity of the matter,” he said.
Mr Srivastava said the guards have been asked to speak politely to residents, even in situations when they are later found to be drunk. “If there is a fight between individuals, the guards have been asked to record a video with consent,” he said.
Several guards told The Hindu that agencies have asked them to always be in touch with local police officials. “We have been asked to make the video and file an FIR in the case of violence,” a guard said on condition of anonymity.
minimum wage
Most security guards The Hindu said that they are paid minimum wages for working more than 10 hours a day.
“I am 19 years old and have to work 12 hours a day to earn ₹12,000 per month. Pankaj Agnihotri, a security guard at Ajnara Green Homes said, “If I take leave, Rs 400 is deducted from my salary.
Another Cleo County guard, who did not wish to be named, said, “In such a multi-storey society, you don’t work for your employer. [placement agency]you work for these people [residents]But nobody cares.”
According to the guards, arguments with residents usually begin over the time taken to be allowed entry into the society. “It is our duty to keep a check. If we don’t, we will be held responsible,” said Ravinder, a guard at Ajnara Green Homes.
Incidents of abuse and violence against security guards have prompted some societies to take steps for their own safety and well-being. Shobhit Kapoor, board member of Apartment Owners Association (AOA) at Ajnara Green Homes, said, “We are ensuring that action is taken against the residents who misbehave with the guards. We are also monitoring that no guard is overworked. Mr Kapoor said that he has also asked the placement agencies to make provident fund mandatory for all guards.
While the AOA is trying to ensure a safe work environment for security guards, most of them believe that change must come from within residents. Mr Ravinder said that most of the incidents happen at night when the residents return home in a state of intoxication. “All we can do is talk to the residents calmly, we can’t take any action as it could lead to fighting,” he said.