Mangaluru: For the past year a former Home Guard, Raju has been working as a security guard at a temple in Naravi village, Dakshina Kannada. He had little option as he lost his job with the Home Guards after the state government wound up the Naxal area development package.
One of the 19 young people, including two women, from the Malekudiya community appointed as Home Guards from Naxal-infested areas of Dakshina Kannada three years ago, Raju is feeling let down by the government, which had provided them the jobs to keep them safe from the clutches of the Naxals.
The recruits were paid under the Naxal area development package and were deputed at the police stations in Puttur, Uppinangady, Belthangady and Sullia.
But once the state government decided to drop the Naxal area development package, all 19 found themselves jobless.
Their plight was brought to the notice of Home minister, G Parameshwar recently by Adivasi Hakkugala Horata Samithi leader, Shekhar Laila, during his visit to the district and now finally a year after they lost their jobs, they have been invited to join the Home Guards again and fill the vacant posts in the police department. Superintendent of Police, Bhushan Gulabrao Borase, who played a key role in reinstating them, said, “We decided to fill the vacant posts in the police department (temporarily) with Home Guards. We have been given permission to induct 150 of them. They will include the Malekudiya youth, who lost their jobs last year.”
“Of the 19 Malekudiyas, eight have already agreed to come and join us. Two others have refused as they have other jobs. But we are trying to contact the rest,” said Home Guards Deputy Commandant, Ramesh. Raju is one of those who is happy to return and is now looking forward to joining the Belthangady police station.
