Home guards in Uttar Pradesh will soon assist in disaster management and relief operations, an official said on Wednesday.
The home guards till now were being deployed for traffic management and other assignments.
They are now being trained in the state capital by the National Disaster Relief Force (NDRF) on how to conduct relief and rescue operations in the wake of natural disasters and other calamities.
Officials said the reins of the State Disaster Management Group will now be in the hands of the home guards.
Ranjan Dwivedi, director general of home guards, said the elevation would not only be a great leap forward in boosting the credibility of the force but also enhance their stature.
During the two-month training, comprising 15-day modules, the first batch of 45 home guards is being trained on first aid following earthquake, landslides, flash floods and other emergencies.
