ETV Bharat Special: How private security guards perform duty amid lockdown

ETV Bharat team reached Dehradun and interacted with the private security guards and asked them how they are managing to do their duty amid lockdown and keeping their life at risk to safe millions of people from COVID-19 disease.

Dehradun: While the common people are remaining confined to their homes during the nationwide lockdown since March 25, private security guards are performing their duty as previously braving the threat from the deadly coronavirus.

Private security guards have continued performing their duty amid the lockdown period keeping their life at risk to safe millions of people from COVID-19 disease.

All the big commercial buildings, housing colonies and shopping malls are deserted while these are being guarded by private security guards even today.

There are about 280 agencies in Uttarakhand which supply private security guards. It is the responsibility of these agencies to ensure the safety and other rights of the security guards they employ.

The agencies are also required to safeguard the security guards from the deadly coronavirus as they have been performing their duty even at the risk of their life.

ETV Bharat tried to know from some of the security guards their working and living conditions by talking to those posted at all big complexes in Dehradun town.

ETV Bharat interacted with the private security guards and asked them how they are managing to do their duty at risk. The security guards described, while all people are confined to their homes, they have to report for duty even at the risk of coronavirus.

An official said that the government has included private security service in the list of essential services. Hence, all security guards have been reporting on duty like before.

Placing the government’s view, joint secretary home Atar Singh said there are 280 private security guard agencies in Uttarakhand.

These agencies have been issued orders to follow strictly the payment of the salaries of the security guards and ensure that they get all their rights. Strict action would be taken against any agency against which any complaint is received.

The lockdown has now been extended by Prime Minister Narendra Modi till May 3.