HUBBALLI: After rendering exemplary services in the state, Karnataka home guards will now help conduct fair elections in Tamil Nadu and Puducherry assembly elections. The state government has sanctioned around 10,000 home guards for Tamil Nadu elections and 1,000 for Puducherry.
The home guards in Karnataka are trained in all aspects, including assisting police during major security arrangements. A total of 10,000 home guards will be deputed on Tamil Nadu elections duty from 23 districts headquarters in Karnataka, and 1,000 home guards will be deployed from Bangalore North and South for Puducherry.
According to sources in the home guards department, Tamil Nadu government has arranged transportation through which the home guards reached to the deputed places. The home guards, including more than 1,000 women personnel, will deployed for the election duty at 23 places in Tamil Nadu including Chennai, Tiruvarur, Tirunelveli, Dharmapuri, Coimbatore.
Home guards deputy commandant general Renuka Sukumar confirmed that the home guards deployed for Tamil Nadu elections have reached the state, while those for Puducherry will start their journey shortly. All needful measures pertaining to Covid were taken before sending home guards to other states for election duty. They are well aware of the importance of using masks, face guards, sanitisers and taking other Covidrelated precautions, Sukumar said.
Dharwad district home guards commandant Satish N Patil said the home guards are trained on the line of the police department.
“Even their selection process is similar to the police department. As they have been trained to work during any kind of situation on the line of police, during elections the home guards serve to conduct fair and peaceful elections,” he added.
Of total 10,000 allotted home guards for Tamil Nadu, 9,852 have been deployed. Of them, 900 are from Bellary, 600 from Hassan, 299 from Davangere, 447 from Dakshina Kannada, 750 from Mysuru, 450 from Shivamogga, 350 from Raichur, 300 from Haveri, 300 from Tumkuru and 450 from Gadag.