In order to improve the chances of survival, while encountering life threatening situations, the Home Guards of Coimbatore district were today given training in self-defence.
Claimed to be a first, the training was also given to women so that they could safeguard themselves, while they were in the line of duty.
As these personnel were involved in night beats and patrols, the chances of encountering danger was high and it was decided to train them on self-defence techniques with a dual purpose of improving their flexibility, agility and presence of mind, Balaji Raju, Area Commander, Home Guards Coimbatore District, said in a release.
The three companies of the District has about 55 women home guards and most often they returned home after dusk and the training would come handy for them, he said.
The home guards would be trained during the weekends, which include Karate and though they carry lathis on night rounds, they may have to confront armed criminals.
The basic self-defence training will enable them to use their strength against an assailant's mental and physical weaknesses and solve personal safety concerns related to fear of being attacked, S N Ravi, self-defence trainer, said.
