The Home Guard setup, which now supports the police force in the State, would soon undergo a systematic revamp which includes advanced training and a change in the personnel’s uniform.
Fire Services & Home Guards DG BK Sharma said the Directorate of Home Guards and Civil Defence is mulling to train the Home Guards to act as an ‘Auxiliary Fire Force’. Each Fire Station would get at least two Home Guards under the new setup.
Sharma was addressing a conference of officers and commandants of Home Guards from all 30 districts here on Monday.
The State’s Home Guard organisation came into being in 1961; and the Home Guards’ scope of responsibility has expanded over time. The Home Guards have been rendering valuable service by assisting police in maintenance of internal security, law and order, prevention of crime, traffic regulation, night patrolling, watch and ward duties, etc.
The sanctioned strength of Home Guards is only 17,675, which includes 9,129 Urban Home Guards and 8,546 Rural Home Guards. All of them Guards have been attached to 455 police stations in the State.
Sharma said improving the recruitment mode, discipline, uniform and service conditions of the Home Guards is the priority. The officers from the districts should pay heed to all these aspects, said he.
The suggestions and proposals which have come from the officers would be scrutinised and sent to the Government for its consideration, Sharma added.