Source: The Sangai Express
Imphal, March 19:
The Supreme Court has dismissed two earlier rulings of the High Court that directed the State Govt to regularise the service of Home Guards.
Justices SB Sinha and Markandey Katju of the Apex Court passed the order on February 26 following a civil appeal filed by the State Government against the earlier orders.
Citing provisions of the Manipur Home Guard Act 1966, the Court said that the Home Guard was meant to be a reserve force, to be utilised only in emergencies but it is not a service like the police, paramilitary forces or army and "there is no right to continue till the age of 55 years".
It said that the initial appointment for Home Guards is for three years after which, at the discretion of the commandant, is subject to approval of the Commandant General (DGP), to reappoint a Home Guard personnel.
Dismissing the earlier two orders, the Supreme Court said "We would like to observe that the Home Guards Act in several States appears to be misused.
Hence, the Central Govt may consider not releasing funds for the Home Guards in a State where the provisions of the Act are not being strictly followed".
Earlier, the State Govt was directed to regularise the service of the petitioners (Home Guards) and to grant them all service benefits.
Against this order, the State filed a writ petition before the Gauhati High Court.
The division bench upheld the earlier ruling and the State Govt to regularise the service of Home Guards.
Challenging both the single and division bench rulings, the State filed the civil appeal before the Supreme Court.