PSO-Gunman Tri-City Association demands mandatory IDs

The newly formed PSO-Gunman Tri-City Association has demanded mandatory appointment letters, identity cards, and insurance coverage for personal security officers (PSOs) and gunmen, citing concerns about their accountability after incidents and the lack of formal employment documents.

Mandeep Singh, the association’s unanimously elected president, raised these demands at a press conference at the Chandigarh Press Club. He also urged authorities to monitor the availability of fake weapons and army and police uniforms to prevent their misuse.

Singh said the association was established to bring people working in PSO and gunman services onto a common platform and raise their concerns with the government and relevant departments.

Around 500 members are currently associated with the organisation, according to Singh. Most are retired personnel from the police, army, or paramilitary forces.

Association seeks employment safeguards

Highlighting the problems faced by PSOs and gunmen, Singh said that employers often escaped responsibility when an incident occurred, while the security personnel became embroiled in the resulting cases and their weapons were seized.

He attributed the problem to employers not providing appointment letters or identity cards to those they hired.

The association has called on the administration to frame rules making it compulsory for employers to issue appointment letters and identity cards to PSOs and gunmen. It has also demanded mandatory insurance coverage for these personnel.

Singh said the association’s office-bearers would raise members’ legitimate concerns and demands with the concerned departments and the government.

Quick Arms licence renewal demanded

Singh also raised concerns over the time taken to renew arms licences in Punjab. He said the process unnecessarily took three to four months and urged the government to address the issue.

He further drew the authorities’ attention to what he described as the easy availability of fake weapons and army and police uniforms. He called for strict monitoring to prevent their misuse.

The association said it intended to raise these issues with the relevant authorities as part of its efforts to address the concerns of people working in PSO and gunman services.

Executive committee constituted

The association has constituted its executive committee, with Mandeep Singh chosen as the president, Saranjit Singh has been appointed general secretary, Jasvir Singh vice-president, Satnam Singh treasurer, Sikander Singh secretary, Ramandeep Singh joint secretary, and Boota Singh the press secretary of the committee.

Captain Sukhwinder Singh has been appointed chairman. Dilab Singh has been named vice-president and vice-chairman, while Tajinder Singh will oversee social media. Bhupinder Singh and Jaswinder Singh have been appointed as advisers.

Manpreet Singh, Darshan Singh and Kulwinder Singh will serve as the commitee’s executive members.

Blood donation camps and plantation drives planned

Singh said the association has set a target of organising three blood donation camps every year and planting 15,000 saplings as part of its social service initiatives.

The association said it would work to bring members of the PSO-gunman community together and raise their concerns at appropriate forums.