Private agencies offering security and allied services to a host of companies, institutions and individuals are in a distress situation with the mass exodus from Bangalore of people from the north-eastern States.
The Karnataka Security Services Association (KSSA) on Friday put the number of security personnel who had left the city since Wednesday at around 6,000 even as many more have not been turning up for work. There are about 5.2 lakh private security personnel in Karnataka, of whom some 1 lakh hail from the northeast.
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At a press conference here on Friday, KSSA president K.P. Nagesh said they would have to look at emergency recruitment if more of their personnel leave within the next few days.
“Currently, we are making [our remaining] staff work overtime to make up for the vacancies.”
He said those who fled left their belongings behind saying they would come back in 20 days if the rumours proved to be false. He added that many firms that had hired the security from their agencies had come forward to offer security as well as accommodation for the remaining personnel.
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Unfazed by rumours
It was not all panic though. There were people like Deepak Katua, a native of Assam who has been working as the security guard for a private hospital since six years, who remained unfazed.
Mr. Katua, who works along with his four brothers at the hospital, said he was least bothered by the rumours and had no intention of leaving. Likewise, Bijit Bharali, another native of Assam, who has been working in the city for the past seven years, said he was not rattled at all.
Besides, he said, the management had assured him of security.