Mangalore: Dakshina Kannada district police have selected 21 unemployed Malekudiya community members to help in policing as home guards in a move to instil confidence among the tribal youth in the Naxal-infested areas.

Selected Malekudiya youths will be assisting the district police in managing traffic and other station duties for a period of one year. The scheme will be extended as the district police has staff shortage, said superintendent of police Abhishek Goyal.

The selected candidates will be absorbed in August.