61st Raising Day of Civil Defence & Home Guards celebrated in Meghalaya

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 7, 2023

“The twin organizations of Civil Defence & Home Guards have played a significant role in providing assistance in many emergencies and whenever any calamity both natural or man-made has occurred” said Comingone Ymbon, Minister of Civil Defence and Home Guards, Meghalaya on Wednesday while speaking as the Chief Guest in the celebrations of the 61st Raising Day of Civil Defence and Home Guards, at CTI Parade Ground, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.

Addressing a host of dignitaries at the Parade Ground, the Minister said “that the role of Home Guards volunteers in regulating traffic, provide guard duty to the Assembly Complex and assisting the police in guarding Puja Pandals and other festivities is worthy of praise.”

Ymbon also stated that “these two organizations also provide help to the Civil Administration and the State Police in the maintenance of law and order in VIP Security duty, in meeting the security requirements of many Central and State Government departments and PSUs etc.”

While highlighting the important role that the organization play in imparting training to the local population on Civil Defence and Disaster Management subject, the Minister advised the department “to take active help of various local bodies like the Dorbars, Nokmas etc so that capacity building and awareness to face any challenge becomes widespread.”

The minister also informed the gathering that the Department has trained 7110 local public and students in Disaster Management, Search & Rescue and First Aid in urban and rural areas. He added that during the year 2022-23, 2531 Home Guards volunteers and 330 Civil Defence Volunteers where trained. Furthermore, the Minister stated that as many as 1391 trained Home Guards Volunteers are currently engaged by various Government Departments/ PSUs and private agencies.

I Nongrang, IPS, Director General of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya while speaking on the occasion said that the origin of the Home Guards is traced to the local defence force raised during the first World War in the United Kingdom, whereas in India the Home Guards was raised in Mumbai in December 6, 1946 which is the reason why the raising day has been celebrated every year on this date.

Lauding the SDRF, the Director General said that “the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) has since its inception acquitted itself commendably in various search and rescue and relief operations.”  She also add that “despite the significant manpower shortage, the working together and the coordination of this department ensures that rescue and relief effort are rendered in a timely manner and continue round the clock whenever necessary.”

Earlier in the day, Comingone Ymbon, pinned the medals for Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service to 5 (Five) Civil Defence and Home Guards personnel. He also distributed the Director General Civil Defence Disc & Commendation Certificate, MHA, New Delhi 2022, to 12 recipients.

Smti I Nongrang, IPS, Director General of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya awarded the Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards, Meghalaya Cash Prize & Commendation Certificate, 2021 to 6 (Six) CD & HG personnel along with the Cash Awards.

Others present on the occasion were MW Nongbri, Executive Director, State Disaster Management Authority (SDMA), C Kharkongor, Secretary, Civil Defence & Home Guards Department, A Agarwal, IPS, Inspector General of Police, CRPF, MK Sangma, Joint Director of Civil Defence, Meghalaya, RP Khongwar, Joint Commandant General of Home Guards, Meghalaya, V Syiem, IPS, SP City, and retired officers of the Department.

Apart from a dazzling parade by four contingents comprising of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, Combined Districts and Home Guards Volunteer Contingent, the celebration of the 61st Raising Day also featured a demonstration of an SDRF rescue operations simulating an earthquake, a solo song presentation and a band display by the Brass Band of the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion and Pipe Band of the Central Training Institute of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya.