Village guards ask for focus on deeds
Güncelleme Tarihi:
Doğan News Agency
Oluşturulma Tarihi: Mayıs 12, 2009 00:00
VAN-The chief of a village guard unit in the eastern province of Van says it is not right for all guards to be judged based on the actions of a few because the guards have sacrificed and risked a lot for meager rewards. He says they receive minimum wage and no social security
The chief of a group of village guards in the eastern province of Van has expressed disappointment at the way the guards are being portrayed.
"We can’t be discarded like used napkins," said Şaban Kahraman, who heads the 800-strong "lightning guards unit." "We don’t even have the job security a cleaner enjoys. We want retirement pensions and compensation," he said.
The role of the village guards has come into the spotlight following the tragedy at an engagement ceremony in the village of Bilge in Mardin province last Monday when 44 people were killed. The assailants are alleged to be part of the guard system.
Village guards have aided the government forces and fought the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, since the mid-1980s and have long been criticized for their alleged links with illegal activities in the region.
According to official data from the Interior Ministry, the number of village guards is around 58,000, all of whom are men with a lower standard of pay and benefits than the police.
The state’s relationship with village guards is a source of debate. On one hand, its defenders note the terror problem while on the other opponents point to the group's alleged involvement in illegal activities.
The "lightning guards unit" was formed in Van in 1996.
"We have fought to keep the nation united for 25 years. When the terrorist organization the PKK is eradicated we will lay down arms," said Kahraman.
He said their unit had a high rate of success in operations and had even participated in cross-border missions and was disturbed that 70,000 guards in Turkey were being put in the spotlight for the actions of some guards in Mardin.
He said 17 guards from Van were martyred in 45 clashes with the PKK and that none of the 7,500 village guards in Van province were involved in criminal activities.
Kahraman said the guards were being made scapegoats and the incident in Mardin had saddened them as well. "I can’t accept 70,000 guards being condemned for the mistake of three guards. People make mistakes in every institution," he said. "Comments are being made without talking to guards or the people in the region. Call us to talk. If we have done wrong, let us be accountable. Let us defend ourselves," said Kahraman.
No social security
Kahraman said the "lightning guards unit" carried out its duties in tough circumstances but received no security. "I am calling out to our prime minister and interior minister. Give the guards social security. For 23 years they have had no social security and receive minimum wage," he said. "They put their lives on the line but have no security.
They don’t receive compensation after retirement. We will set up an association shortly to defend our rights," Kahraman said. He said the Democratic Society Party, or DTP, didn’t want to see the end of the PKK because it pressures people in the region with PKK support.
"We can’t be discarded like used napkins," said Şaban Kahraman, who heads the 800-strong "lightning guards unit." "We don’t even have the job security a cleaner enjoys. We want retirement pensions and compensation," he said.
The role of the village guards has come into the spotlight following the tragedy at an engagement ceremony in the village of Bilge in Mardin province last Monday when 44 people were killed. The assailants are alleged to be part of the guard system.
Village guards have aided the government forces and fought the outlawed Kurdistan Workers' Party, or PKK, since the mid-1980s and have long been criticized for their alleged links with illegal activities in the region.
According to official data from the Interior Ministry, the number of village guards is around 58,000, all of whom are men with a lower standard of pay and benefits than the police.
The state’s relationship with village guards is a source of debate. On one hand, its defenders note the terror problem while on the other opponents point to the group's alleged involvement in illegal activities.
The "lightning guards unit" was formed in Van in 1996.
"We have fought to keep the nation united for 25 years. When the terrorist organization the PKK is eradicated we will lay down arms," said Kahraman.
He said their unit had a high rate of success in operations and had even participated in cross-border missions and was disturbed that 70,000 guards in Turkey were being put in the spotlight for the actions of some guards in Mardin.
He said 17 guards from Van were martyred in 45 clashes with the PKK and that none of the 7,500 village guards in Van province were involved in criminal activities.
Kahraman said the guards were being made scapegoats and the incident in Mardin had saddened them as well. "I can’t accept 70,000 guards being condemned for the mistake of three guards. People make mistakes in every institution," he said. "Comments are being made without talking to guards or the people in the region. Call us to talk. If we have done wrong, let us be accountable. Let us defend ourselves," said Kahraman.
No social security
Kahraman said the "lightning guards unit" carried out its duties in tough circumstances but received no security. "I am calling out to our prime minister and interior minister. Give the guards social security. For 23 years they have had no social security and receive minimum wage," he said. "They put their lives on the line but have no security.
They don’t receive compensation after retirement. We will set up an association shortly to defend our rights," Kahraman said. He said the Democratic Society Party, or DTP, didn’t want to see the end of the PKK because it pressures people in the region with PKK support.