The security personnel at the Malkangiri District Head Hospital have stopped their work from today and are sitting in protest in front of the hospital. They said that they have taken this extreme decision as they have not been paid for the last three months. The security situation in the medical complex has become a disaster due to this protest by the security personnel. According to the information received, about 70 to 80 security personnel have gone on strike due to non-payment of salaries for March, April and May.
They had earlier informed the ADMO, the security agency concerned and the District Collector about this problem in writing. They also warned that they would go on strike if their salaries were not received by June 13. However, they were finally forced to stop their duties after not receiving any positive response from the agency or the medical authorities. Despite the protest, two security guards have been deployed on casualty and emergency duty for humanitarian reasons and to ensure that patient care is not disrupted. The employees are facing a severe financial crisis as they have not received their salaries for the past three months.
While they are taking loans from others to support their families, many employees have complained that they are facing hefty fines for not being able to pay their vehicle installments. Even now, the ‘Care Security Agency’ and the medical authorities, which are responsible for security, are seen blaming each other. In such a situation, while the authorities are sitting silently, kicking the poor employees in the stomach, it remains to be seen when this problem will be resolved and when the security guards will get their justice.
