Imphal, July 30 2009: The concerned government department is alleged of victimising 178 Home Guard personnel � who were sacked from the payroll of the government.

The personnel were allegedly utilised still by the government though without paying their salaries.

Among the total of 2315 Home Guard personnel in the state, 178 personnel have been stripped off from the payroll of the government based on the recommendation of the Vigilance department on ground that they were recruited during the period of the ban on recruitment.

Since April this year the personnel ceased to receive their pay and emolument after an order was issued by the Home department removing them from their post.

Sources said when the personnel asked for a personal copy of the government order affecting their removal from service, they were reportedly told that nobody has removed them and they were continued to be utilised by the department but without paying their salaries.

It has also been reported that the 178 Home Guard personnel have contributed Rs 1000 each in an attempt to abort the order of the government.

But the amount they have contributed was said to be skyjacked.

Many commanders of the Home Guard were said to have involved in collecting the amount from the personnel.

The personnel who have been slashed from service have also lamented that the president of the Manipur Home Guard Association, MLA S Hemanta did not bother to address the plight of the personnel whose services have been cut off.

They also said that the personnel did not get the due compensation on the death of the personnel.

There is no die in harness policy and the dual ration benefits have been no more.

The personnel lodged their complaint that they are victimised by the government authority by employing them in various districts and departments with just a meager salary of Rs 2685 per month.

The worst is said to happen with the women Home Guard personnel, according to sources.

It has been reported that their commanders used to post them wherever they like them to be posted at.

Personnel who did not go along with the commanders are posted to far off areas.

Some com-manders are also said to have taken three women personnel along with them as against norms.

Indicating the urgent need to set up a women wing for the Home Guard personnel, women personnel feel that until a women wing of the Home Guard personnel is set up, their disadvantages will prevail.

This may lead them to loss their moral apart from giving a bad name to the department.

They also lamented that the president of the Home Guard Association, MLA S Hemanta has failed to translate the promise he had made when he assumed as the new president of the association.

Far from fulfilling the promises, conditions of the personnel receded during his tenure.

Drawing the attention of Chief Minister to intervene, the personnel also alleged that the president did not even attend his office.

The personnel also lamented that instead of making an effort to reapportion the 178 sacked personnel, the department is planning to recruit 278 personnel anew.

Sources also said the personnel have faced problem due to the refusal of the commanders to issue them identity card.

Even the payment of the small honorarium of Rs 2685 has been due for a month.

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