Home guards taken for granted

An auto-rickshaw driver had parked his auto right in front of City Bus Stand in the city. A home guard, who is deputed near the bus-stand instructed the auto-driver to move his vehicle. The auto-driver did not budge, even after the home guard threatened to complain against him.

In another incident near Mysore Urban Development Authority, a two wheel driver was stopped by a home guard for violating one-way regulations. Even before, the home guard could make a note of the vehicle number, the two-wheeler sped away in his bike, abusing the home guard who had stopped him. Though such incidents are few and far in between, home guards deputed by the Mysore City Police routinely face such incidents, which not only put them to shame, but it also brings down their morale.

Speaking with Deccan Herald, Poornima, a home guard deputed near the City Bus Stand said that despite her efforts to implement the traffic rules, not many people were eager to listen to her. “Commuters generally do not ignore the directions given by us. However, there are a few who deliberately ignore us, making it difficult for us to discharge our duties,” he said.

Similar were the sentiments echoed by Mahesh S. “While people have some fear of traffic constables, we are taken for granted,” he said.

Commissioner of police, M A Saleem said that even home guards could lodge complaints against traffic offenders. “There are 150 home guards deputed in various parts of the city, which has eased traffic issues,” he said.

On people ignoring the instructions by home guards, he said that the situation would get better with time. “While home guards are being deployed for only the last month and half in Mysore, they have been deployed in Bangalore for the past few years. People will be more tolerant towards them in later stages,” he said.

While traffic constables are equipped with cameras to trap traffic offenders, home guards are yet to have the facility. Saleem said that home guards too will be extended the facility with the introduction of ‘Public Eye’ in Mysore.