When ‘security’ becomes a threat for those doing their job.
Private security guards of the Union Minister of State for Culture Mahesh Sharma were caught on camera beating up housing society guards in Ghaziabad, Uttar Pradesh, on Thursday.
The incident happened when the minister went to Ashiana Greens high rise at Indirapuram, Ghaziabad to meet his cousin as part of Rakshabandhan festival.
The video brought out by the news agency ANI shows the housing society staff deployed at the gate of the residential complex being pulled back by a security guard of the minister while they were talking to someone sitting inside the car.
After the car moved away, the security guard started threatening the housing society staff pointing fingers at them. Moments later, he started slapping and beating up the staff. Another housing staff who was standing nearby was also beaten up when he tried to protect his co-worker.
“It took hardly two minutes for us to open the gate, still, the minister’s security thrashed and abused us. We were just doing our job,” Abhay Pratap Singh, one of the men attacked by the guard told ANI.
Media reports said that the minister’s car had entered the housing society when the incident happened. But minister’s convoy had to wait at the gate for a few minutes as part of the regular security check-up procedures.
“This led to some verbal altercation and one of the persons from the following cars thrashed the guards at the main entrance. Later, the residents felt agitated over the issue and approached the RWA. A complaint was forwarded to police later,” said Pankaj Roy, secretary, Ashiana Greens Residents and Welfare Association told The Hindustan Times.
“The security told the guards about the car and the occupants and my car was allowed to go inside. The altercation took place when I was already inside the flat and came to know only 30 minutes later. Residents approached me over the issue and I personally apologized for the incident. It was some verbal altercation that led to the incident between the high rise staff and one of our private security persons. No government security personnel were involved,” he added.
However, the minister has suspended the security guard who was involved in the issue. He said that he has apologized to the guards.
“I have also suspended my security guard and have asked the police to inquire into the incident. I have also apologized to RWA president. If two security guards are fighting what more can a minister do?” he told ANI.