S. Kasi joined the Home Guards in 2015, and the high point of his association with the voluntary force came recently, when he received a cash prize for assisting a special police team in an operation to nab a gang of chain snatchers.
In the second week of September, a three-member gang had robbed S. Balasubramanian (58), a head constable at the Tiruvottiyur police station, of his mobile phone, when he was heading towards a mechanic shop on his two-wheeler.
When Balasubramanian reached the Royapuram bridge, he was approached by a youth who sought help for a friend who was faking an epileptic attack.
When the policeman went near the youth faking seizures and bent towards him, the third youth snatched his mobile and started to run. The other two men too took to their heels. Balasubramanian took after the culprits and managed to nab one of them — Karthik (30).
He was handed over to the Royapuram police station, where 23-year-old Kasi is deployed as a Home Guard.
During interrogation, Karthik confessed that he and his two friends regularly robbed pedestrians and motorcyclists of their mobile phones.
The police then formed a special team to nab Karthik’s accomplices and Kasi was called to assist the police in the operation. And soon, the other two — Sathish (19) and Daniel (28) — were nabbed.
“I wanted to become a policeman, but couldn’t clear the written exam. Back then, I didn’t know about Home Guards at all. One of my college mates was going to a recruitment drive for Home Guards and asked me if I’d like to join him. That’s how I became a Home Guard and I am proud of being one,” says Kasi, his joy of having received this recognition from the police, palpable in his voice.
Kasi works as a security guard of a private bank.
Appreciating his efforts, the Inspector of Royapuram police station, Raja Robert, recommended Kasi for a reward. On October 3, he received a cash prize of ₹1,000 from the Additional Commissioner of Police, Chennai North, R. Dhinakaran.