Home guards vent ire against alleged anomalies in appointment

From our correspondent

Silchar, September 4: The procedure of appointment of home guards for various public sector jobs has come under severe criticism in the light of allegations from the members of the All India Home Guards Welfare Association (AIHGWA), Cachar unit. There are allegations of nepotism and corruption against Saidul Alom Laskar, president, Rajat Kanti th, secretary, and Rakibul Islam Laskar, chief advisor, of the Association, that keeping other executive members in dark and in total violation of rules and guidelines, the trio has unscrupulously recommended mes to District Commandant of Home Guards, Cachar, for appointments.

 As a result, many genuine applicants are deprived of their legitimate rights and claims. This was among the allegations made by the aggrieved members of the Association in a memorandum addressed to the all India president of AIHGWA, central committee, on Thursday. The aggrieved members further alleged that this illegal practice has been going on for the past few months.

 The members also alleged that the accused have also taken kickbacks to tune of over Rs.20 lakh as bribe from gullible persons in lieu of assigning them duty during the last appointment of home guards. The frontline office bearers with their domineering and bullying tactics keep other home guards of the aggrieved rank under constant pressure and have virtually muzzled their voices of protest.

 The members of the Association impressed upon the all India president to take serious note of the issues raised and order a high level inquiry into the allegations aired. They also urged upon the president to remove Saidul Alom Laskar, Rajat Kanti th and Rakibul Islam Laskar from the posts of president, secretary and chief advisor of the district unit of the Association respectively for a fair probe into the matter.

 They also requested the president to take positive and concrete steps to stem this bribe for duty practice. A copy of the memorandum has also been sent to the Director General of Civil Defence and Commandant General of Home Guards, Assam, District Home Guards Commandant, Deputy Commissioner and Superintendent of Police, of Cachar.