Flouting rules the norm for private security age

KOCHI: Their job is to help ensure law and order and make the task easier for the government agencies, but private security firms in the city are actually turning out to be on the other side of the law.The number of agencies flouting regulations laid down by the Private Security Agencies (Regulations) Act 2005, is rising alarmingly, and many of them are simply not bothered about the set norm of sending details of personnel and their weapons for police verification.“The weapons used by the guards registered in other states should be presented before the Executive Magistrate or the officials assigned under him, for registration in the Arms Register, which will keep us abreast of the number of guns used in the city,” said Assistant Commissioner (Special Branch), M N Ramesh.“Presently there is no proper data about how many weapons are used by them, which is a major security risk. For these private agencies, employing guards is simply a means to earn money,” he added.That banks and other large organisations hire private guards for security purposes adds to the gravity of the situation.“According to the rules, security agencies should obtain a licence and the background details of each guard employed by them should be sent for police verification, but this norm is seldom followed. It is a major security risk as many banks and other financial organisations rely on these private security agencies.An initiative has been now started by the police, to curb this widespread violation of rules,” said M N Ramesh.“There is a provision under the act to provide special training for security personnel in firefighting and disaster management and identification of improvised explosive devices (IEDs). This rarely reaches the guards, as they are not listed in any register that authorities in the city hold,” he added.