Mortality overlaps morality: Private security guards losing out in fight against terror
Mortality overlaps morality: Private security guards losing out in fight against terror
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Killing of security guards in Marriott blast not only highlights their vulnerability to dangers but also a need for their proper training.Private security agencies have been mushrooming in the city because of lack of capability to protect civilians on part of the state. These firms put up the lowest bids to win contracts. As a result, they keep wages for guards very down and there can be no question of arranging their professional training on modern lines.Private security guards are sometimes paid Rs 4,000 a month but the youth are forced to serve these firms because of unemployment. These guards are seen killing time on roads, shopping malls, mosques, markets, banks, and even in buses, carrying guns heavier than their weight. Over 500 security firms have been registered with the government. Low wages, long hours, no or week insurance and no incentives are the things that mark lives of those working with them. “More than 100 people come to get work as guard, some having masters’ degrees, on daily basis,” said Ghulam Abbas, manager of a leading private security firm. Unemployment and inflation were the causes for educated youth to get down to the jobs that did not fit them, he said. Eisa Gul is an unarmed guard, performing duties at a hostel in Quaid-i-Azam University. He told Daily Times that he came here from Swabi to feed his family.He said if a mishap happened at the hostel, he would grab the terrorist by his neck without thinking of its consequences. He did not know modern techniques of security arrangements but he was willing to sacrifice his life for others. He is getting Rs 4,000 a month. No incentives, no insurance and nothing at all, believe it or not! Islamabad Assistant Commissioner Capt (r) Shahbaz said some security guards were professional and expert of using guns; some ex-servicemen who could not use guns and some were simple jobseekers. He said no uniform training could be provided to them as they came from different backgrounds. He said recruitment companies should be more careful in selecting guards training them. He said private guards must be given insurance cover so that their families could bear the loss in case of any mishap. He said the guards must be trained enough to combat terrorists. A Defence Ministry official said there was no protection for security guards in law. He said a guard would face trial even if he killed someone in self defence while terrorists were let loose. He said these legal complications could have stopped Marriott guards from opening fire on the truck driver who destroyed the building and killed over 53 people.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\26\story_26-9-2008_pg11_1
By Atif Khan
ISLAMABAD: Killing of security guards in Marriott blast not only highlights their vulnerability to dangers but also a need for their proper training.Private security agencies have been mushrooming in the city because of lack of capability to protect civilians on part of the state. These firms put up the lowest bids to win contracts. As a result, they keep wages for guards very down and there can be no question of arranging their professional training on modern lines.Private security guards are sometimes paid Rs 4,000 a month but the youth are forced to serve these firms because of unemployment. These guards are seen killing time on roads, shopping malls, mosques, markets, banks, and even in buses, carrying guns heavier than their weight. Over 500 security firms have been registered with the government. Low wages, long hours, no or week insurance and no incentives are the things that mark lives of those working with them. “More than 100 people come to get work as guard, some having masters’ degrees, on daily basis,” said Ghulam Abbas, manager of a leading private security firm. Unemployment and inflation were the causes for educated youth to get down to the jobs that did not fit them, he said. Eisa Gul is an unarmed guard, performing duties at a hostel in Quaid-i-Azam University. He told Daily Times that he came here from Swabi to feed his family.He said if a mishap happened at the hostel, he would grab the terrorist by his neck without thinking of its consequences. He did not know modern techniques of security arrangements but he was willing to sacrifice his life for others. He is getting Rs 4,000 a month. No incentives, no insurance and nothing at all, believe it or not! Islamabad Assistant Commissioner Capt (r) Shahbaz said some security guards were professional and expert of using guns; some ex-servicemen who could not use guns and some were simple jobseekers. He said no uniform training could be provided to them as they came from different backgrounds. He said recruitment companies should be more careful in selecting guards training them. He said private guards must be given insurance cover so that their families could bear the loss in case of any mishap. He said the guards must be trained enough to combat terrorists. A Defence Ministry official said there was no protection for security guards in law. He said a guard would face trial even if he killed someone in self defence while terrorists were let loose. He said these legal complications could have stopped Marriott guards from opening fire on the truck driver who destroyed the building and killed over 53 people.
http://www.dailytimes.com.pk/default.asp?page=2008\09\26\story_26-9-2008_pg11_1
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