Anakapalli marks 63rd Home Guards Raising Day

The 63rd Raising Day of the Home Guards was celebrated at the district police headquarters on Saturday, with SP Tuhin Sinha inspecting the parade and extending greetings to personnel and their families.

The SP recalled that the Home Guards organisation, formed in 1962, continues to support policing efforts in law and order, traffic regulation, and crime prevention. Across Anakapalli and Alluri Seetharamaraju districts, 667 Home Guards, including 93 women, are serving in field and support roles.

Mr. Sinha recognised the contribution of women Home Guards in counselling, legal awareness, and safety-related services. He also noted that the force extends support beyond policing to departments such as Vigilance, Women and Child Welfare, Fire Services, Vizag Steel Plant, Road Transport Offices, and temple security.

On welfare measures, the SP said Home Guards receive a daily honorarium of Rs 710 and continue to benefit from 25 per cent reservation in police recruitment. Families of personnel who die or suffer injuries on duty are given immediate financial aid and an ex gratia amount of Rs 5 lakh. He urged all personnel to enroll in government insurance schemes.

More than 300 Home Guards recently underwent medical screenings, and the SP said plans are in place to extend necessary health assistance. He also appreciated their growing role in digital policing through skills in ICJS dashboards, e-evidence handling, and criminal law applications.

The SP acknowledged the gesture of personnel voluntarily donating a day’s wage to support families of deceased or retired Home Guards.

Certificates and cash rewards were presented to those who excelled in parade and duty performance. Senior officers, including Additional SPs, DSPs, inspectors, and district Home Guard in-charges, attended the event.