PROFILE OF A HOMEGUARD

File picture of homeguards at a sit-in in Guwahati to demand job security

Assam has around 16,000 active homeguards, under the director general of civil defence and homeguards. Their tenure is 4 years after which they can renew the contract if interested

Homeguards get paid Rs 100 a day and an extra Rs 50 if posted out of home district

They assist police and district administration in maintaining order, essential services and managing disaster

A homeguard gets 42 days’ training in the first phase, does a 30-day refresher course and is then given an advanced training for 25 days

The force was originally raised in 1946 under the Union ministry of home affairs and re-organised in 1962 after the Chinese aggression. The ministry formulates the policy in respect to role, target, raising, training, equipping, establishment and other important matters of homeguards

Personnel are recruited from various walks of life — from students to professionals, between 18 and 50 years of age

Guwahati, Nov. 23: Staff crunch in the Assam police force has just turned out to be a boon for homeguards, who will soon shed their “unarmed” status and train to stand in for policemen where required.

Five thousand of the state’s 16,000 homeguards will undergo arms training so that they can handle law and order situations on their own while policemen can be re-deployed to more “sensitive” areas.

The police force, along with other security agencies, have been facing the flak for failing to pre-empt the October 30 serial blasts that killed 89 and injured hundreds.

“Since the homeguards have already been pressed into action in the volatile North Cachar Hills and the Bodoland Territorial Areas Districts, it was only prudent to fall back on them to tide over the immediate crisis. It will not only make up for the shortfall in the police force, but also help re-deploy policemen to more sensitive areas. They (homeguards) can take care of the routine law and order problems,” a senior official said.

Sources said the Beltola-headquartered homeguards and civil defence authorities are readying their personnel for an advance one-month training, including the use of arms, before they are deployed in January.

“Barring minor formalities, everything is done. The training will most likely be held in Dhubri, Tezpur, Jorhat, Diphu and Cachar. Besides, a remuneration of Rs 3,000 a month, they will get a number of other benefits,” the official added.

“The manpower crisis in the police has become a silver lining for the homeguards. They will serve as a force multiplier. It is an opportunity for them to give a good account of themselves and make a strong case for permanent absorption into the regular police force. The home, police and civil defence departments are working closely to ensure adequate security and gainful employment for the homeguards,” a CMO official said.

The decision to provide arms training comes months after nearly 1,000 homeguards were deployed in North Cachar Hills as special police officers with sophisticated arms to help the security personnel there. Another 1,000 were deployed in the BTAD.

“We have to make do with the available resources. We are working on their remuneration package,” the CMO official said.

Earlier this year, homeguards hit the streets demanding job security.