Udupi: “Totally 12,000 home guards have been deputed in various departments. 7000-8000 home guard personnel have been deputed to police department,” said Additional Director General of Police and Additional General Commandant of Home Guards N Shiva Kumar.

He was speaking in the valedictory ceremony of home guards sports meet held on Monday at Chandu ground organised for DK, Udupi, Utthara Kannada and Chikkamagaluru district personnel.

“Last the home guard personnel count was 24,000 and the government has raised the number to 30,000. It is a voluntary organisation and the personnel will be trained for very less period. As the home guard staffs also wear police uniform they should maintain the discipline during the duty,” he said.

He further said that previously home guard staffs were working for 30-40 days in year and that is also with police department only. But now they are working throughout the year with various departments also.

NITTE University Vice-Chancellor Dr Ramanad Shetty, Adani Group Vice-President Kishore Alva and others were present.