Home Guard (India)

The Indian Home Guard is an Indian paramilitary police force. It is a voluntary force, tasked as an auxiliary to the Indian Police. The Home Guards Organisation was reorganised in India in 1962 after the Sino-Indian War with the People's Republic of China, though it existed in smaller units individually in some places. Home Guards are recruited from various cross sections of the civil society such as professionals, college students, agricultural and industrial workers etc. who give their spare time for betterment of the community. All citizens of India, in the age group of 18-50, are eligible. Normal tenure of membership in Home Guards is 3 to 5 years.

History

The Home Guard was originally raised in the erstwhile Bombay State in 1946. Apart from Army, Navy, Air Force and other security agencies, the twin voluntary organisations - Civil Defence & Home Guards were raised to provide protection to citizens in any untoward situation. Therefore, 6th December every year is celebrated throughout the nation as Raising Day of the organisation. On that day in 1946, first Home Guards Unit was conceived and raised in erstwhile Bombay State during turmoil period of civil disorders and communal riots, as a civilian voluntary force in aid of administration as an auxiliary to Police, under the stewardship of late Morarji Desai, ex-Prime Minister. in accordance with the Home Guards Acts and Rules of States/Union Territories, under the Ministry of Home Affairs.

For example, the Home Guards Organisation in Maharashtra was utilised by the Civil Defence which came into existence in 1952 under the name of Home Defence (New Civil Defence Act is 27 0f 1968). In view of these the Maharashtra Home Guards and the State Government could assist Central Government in organising the Home Guards and Civil Defence creditably during External aggression in 1962. On some occasions the organisation went out of its lawful jurisdiction in order to render help as during the floods in Surat in 1956; civil defence measures organised in Assam in 1962; special services rendered at the exposition of St. Xavier's body in Goa in 1964, etc. They also rendered yeomen's service during several strikes of Bombay Municipal Corporation employees, and fully manned the essential services such as fire brigade,water supply and hospital services for a number of days. At this time the Home Defence was permitted to be brought to limelight by changing the Home Defence to Civil Defence. The policies of State Civil Defence Committee were based on the directives issued by Government of India.

This Home Guard organisation is also active in Bengal, Rajasthan, Tamil-Nadu, Madhya Pradesh and Gujarat.

Functions

The functions to be performed by Home Guards are listed below:

• To serve as Auxiliary to the Police and generally help in maintaining internal security.
• To help the community in any kind of Emergency—such as on Air-raid precautions or on any natural disaster.
• To function as an Emergency Force intended for special tasks directly or indirectly connected with the defence of the country.
• To maintain functional units to provide essential services such as motor transport, Engineering groups, Fire brigade, Nursing and First Aid, Operation of Power supply, Water installations and Communication systems etc.
• The Border Wing of 18 battalions assists the Border Security Force in preventing infiltration on the international border/coastal areas, guarding of VA/VPs and lines of communication and vulnerable areas at the time of external aggression. The 18 battalions are deployed as follows:Assam (one bn), Gujarat (4 bns), Meghalaya (one bn), Punjab (6 bns), Rajasthan (4 bns), Tripura (one bn), and West Bengal (one bn).
• Marine Units function as an Indian Coast Guard auxiliary.
• The Fire Wing assists the Indian Fire service.

Home Guards Demonstration-Fire tender operation.-1970

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Home Guards Demonstration-Fire fighting-1970

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Home Guards Demonstration-First aid.-1970

Strength and Organisation

The total strength of Home Guards in the country is 573,793 against which the present raised strength is 486,401 Home Guards in 25 state and the union territories. It doesn't exist in Kerala as its duties are performed by other organisations.

Training

Central Civil Defence training centres were established in various states to impart training to both Civil Defence and Home Guards personnel. The training consists of individual as well as team training. After Independence the task of Civil Defence training was revived only after 1962.

Equipment

The Home Guard is equipped with and trained to use older weapons such as the .303 Lee–Enfield SMLE rifle, Sten and Bren guns which are manufactured indigenously by the Indian Ordnance Factories controlled by the Ordnance Factories Board, Ministry of Defence, Government of India.

Personnel

Personnel are recruited from various people to include doctors, lawyers, teachers, employees of public and private sector organisations, college and university students, agricultural and industrial workers and others who give their spare time to their communities. All 18 to 50-year-old citizens of India are eligible for membership and normally serve from three to five years each. Members are paid an allowance when called up for service. All members, after their first three-year term of service, are eligible to be trained by the police in the maintenance of law and order, crime prevention, anti-dacoit measures, border control, disaster relief, fire prevention and firefighting, election and social welfare activities.

References

1. CIVIL DEFENCE, Journal of the Civil Defence Services, Editor Col.Kr.D.S.Rawal, Vol 1, 1970 No. 1.
2. India, Ary of Congress.

External links

• Ministry of Home Affairs Home Guard page
• Ministry of Home Affairs Directorate General of Civil Defense