Home Guard Protests: Officer Douses Self In Petrol

The protests launched by the Telangana Home Guards Association at Indira Park in Hyderabad, demanding regularization of salary among other demands, entered its fourth day with ferocity as one Home Guard named Ramesh doused himself with petrol in another part of the city.

Speaking at the protest, some of the officers lamented Ramesh's death and said that it was unfortunate that the government was ignoring their repeated pleas, despite the incident.

They said that they met Telangana Chief Secretary Rajiv Sharma and spoke to him about their demands, reiterating which they said, "We want our jobs to be regularized. After that, we want a pay hike of 30%. But since regularization will take time, we want our salaries to get a minimum initial hike to get us through the difficult phase. We are literally living on Rs. 400 per day, which is less than what several other non-government jobs offer. But we are a paramilitary force and protect people of this State, and also politicians. Why aren't we eligible for a standard pay?"

They alleged ill-treatment by the police and the government and said that they were being asked to do all sorts of menial labour, which was not a part of their job description.

After the incident with Ramesh, several protesters near the Indira Park staged a "Rasta Rokho" protests, hampering traffic. Ramesh's condition is critical, and he is still undergoing treatment.