The All Assam Home Guards Volunteers’ Welfare Association has urged the Assam government to provide regular employment opportunities to its trained personnel, highlighting a significant discrepancy between the number of trained Home Guards and the available sanctioned posts, even as public infrastructure expands across the state. The appeal was made on July 6, 2026, amidst growing concerns over the financial stability and job security of these essential service providers.
This demand underscores a critical employment challenge within the state’s auxiliary forces, with the Association arguing that the current deployment model fails to adequately utilise a trained workforce while also creating financial precarity for its members. The call for regularization comes at a time when Assam is witnessing substantial growth in public infrastructure, which inherently increases the need for security and public order management.
What was announced
The All Assam Home Guards Volunteers’ Welfare Association formally appealed to the state government, pressing for the regularization of trained Home Guards personnel. The Association’s representatives articulated their concerns on July 6, 2026, stressing the urgent need for a structured employment policy. According to the Association, a substantial number of trained Home Guards are currently without regular employment, leading to significant financial hardship for many families. The body emphasised that its members are fully trained and capable of undertaking various duties, including maintaining law and order, managing traffic, and providing security at government installations.
Why it matters
The regularization of Home Guards personnel holds significant implications for both the individuals involved and the state’s security apparatus. For thousands of Home Guards, regular appointments would mean stable incomes, improved living standards, and access to benefits currently unavailable due to their irregular employment status. Many Home Guards currently face financial hardships due to inconsistent deployment and daily wage structures, according to the Association. From the state’s perspective, a regularised Home Guard force could enhance public safety and law enforcement capabilities. With Assam’s ongoing infrastructure development, including new government buildings, public spaces, and transport networks, the demand for security personnel is naturally on the rise. A dedicated, regularly employed force could provide consistent support to the Assam Police, thereby strengthening the overall security framework and ensuring better management of public order and traffic.
Background
The Home Guards organisation in India dates back to 1946, initially established as a voluntary citizen’s force to assist the police in maintaining internal security. The Home Guards Act, 1947, and the Home Guards Rules, 1947, govern their operations, defining them as an auxiliary force to the police. In Assam, Home Guards play a crucial role, often deployed for duties such as traffic control, guarding government properties, and assisting during festivals or emergencies. Despite their critical contributions, the issue of their regularization and service conditions has been a long-standing concern.
Over the years, Home Guards associations across various states, including Assam, have repeatedly highlighted the disparity between their duties and their employment status. They often work alongside regular police personnel but lack the same benefits, job security, and pay scales. This has led to numerous protests and appeals for better treatment and regularization. In 2018, reports indicated that Assam had approximately 24,000 Home Guards personnel. The state government has, in the past, acknowledged these demands. In 2021, the Assam government reportedly initiated plans to regularize around 2,000 Home Guards, a move that was seen as a step towards addressing the long-pending issue. However, the current appeal from the All Assam Home Guards Volunteers’ Welfare Association suggests that these previous measures have not fully resolved the underlying problems of job insecurity and the significant gap between trained personnel and available regular posts. The Association continues to point out that Home Guards personnel in Assam typically receive a daily allowance rather than a regular monthly salary, contributing to their financial instability. The ongoing expansion of public infrastructure across Assam, including new police stations, administrative complexes, and public facilities, further underscores the argument for a more robust and regularly employed security presence.
Key details
The All Assam Home Guards Volunteers’ Welfare Association’s primary demand is the formulation of a comprehensive policy for the regular appointment of trained Home Guards personnel. The Association highlighted that despite a large pool of trained individuals, the number of sanctioned posts for regular employment remains disproportionately low. They stressed that Home Guards are frequently deployed for essential services, including law and order duties, traffic management, and security at various government installations, demonstrating their capability and necessity. The appeal specifically calls for the state government to recognise the extensive training and experience of these personnel and integrate them into the regular state security framework, thereby addressing their long-standing financial hardships.
What’s next
The state government is now expected to consider the appeal made by the All Assam Home Guards Volunteers’ Welfare Association. The Association has urged the administration to formulate a comprehensive policy that addresses the regularization of its members. Future developments will likely involve discussions between government officials and representatives of the Home Guards, potentially leading to policy reviews or further announcements regarding employment strategies for the auxiliary force. The Home Guards and their families will be closely watching for a positive response from the state government to their long-standing demands for job security and improved service conditions.