HOME GUARDS
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Guards is a voluntary force, first raised in India in December, 1946, to assist
the police in controlling civil disturbance and communal riots. Subsequently,
the concept of the voluntary citizens’ force was adopted by several States. In
the wake of Chinese aggression in 1962, the Centre advised the State and Union
Territories to merge their exiting voluntary organisation into one uniform
voluntary force known as Home Guards. The role of Home Guards is to serve as an
auxiliary to the police in maintenance of internal security, help the community
in any kind of emergency such as an air-raid, fire, cyclone, earthquake,
epidemic etc., help in maintenance of essential services, promote communal
harmony and assist the administration in protecting weaker sections,
participate in socio-economic and welfare activities and perform civil defence
duties. Home Guards are of two types - rural and urban. In border States,
Border Wing Home Guards battalions. have also been raised, which serve as an
auxiliary to the Border Security Force. The total strength of Home Guards in
the country is 5,73,793 against which the present raised strength is 4,86,401.
The organisation is spread over in all States and Union Territories except in
Kerala. Eighteen Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) battalions have been raised in
the border States to serve as an auxiliary to Border Security Force. Its emblem
depicts a wreath encircling a rising pigeon, atop which is the coveted Ashoka lion
pillar. Beneath, in a banner, is emblazoned the motto of this force ‘Nishkam Seva’ meaning ‘Service with Love’.
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