Ymbon lauds contribution of twin organization of Civil Defence and Home Guards

Syllad | The Rising MeghalayaDecember 6, 2024

“The twin organizations of Civil Defence and Home Guards have, over the years, rendered yeoman’s service to society,” said Comingone Ymbon, Minister in charge of Civil Defence and Home Guards, today while speaking at the observance of the 62nd Raising Day of the Civil Defence and Home Guards at CTI Parade Ground, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.

Addressing the gathering after a parade and medal investiture ceremony, the Minister said that the two organizations have played a significant role in providing assistance during many emergencies, whenever any calamity, either natural or man-made, has occurred. Ymbon lauded the department for having imparted training on Disaster Management, Search and Rescue, and Medical First Aid to about 9,614 local residents and students in urban and rural areas, NGOs, school and college students, government officials, etc.

He added that during the year 2023-2024, 160 Home Guards volunteers and 410 Civil Defence volunteers were imparted training, and as many as 1,977 trained Home Guards volunteers are currently engaged by various government departments, PSUs, and private agencies, helping the concerned volunteers earn some income while providing security to the concerned departments and agencies.

The Minister also informed the gathering that the department has submitted proposals for the sanction of (i) Rs 4,15,87,060 (Rupees four crore fifteen lakh eighty-seven thousand sixty) for the construction of a Flood Simulation Pool for training purposes on water emergencies for personnel of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and (ii) Rs 30,10,049 (Rupees thirty lakh ten thousand forty-nine) for the construction of an 11 kV line and a 200 kVA substation to provide power supply to the Civil Defence and Home Guards office in Jowai.

Expressing his gratitude to the government, Ymbon stated that, to tackle the shortage of manpower in the department, the government has been kind enough to convey its approval for the recruitment of 448 vacant posts, i.e., Sub-Inspector-4, Guardsman-284, NCE-140, and Driver-17. As a result, this department, via the Transparent Recruitment Process (TRP), has initiated the recruitment process, which is still ongoing.

Earlier on the occasion, the Minister pinned the President’s Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Distinguished Service to MK Sangma, Joint Director of Civil Defence, Meghalaya, and the Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service to Inspector Bokstar Mynsong from the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion. He also presented the DG Fire Services, Home Guards, and Civil Defence, MHA New Delhi Disc and Commendation certificates to 5 (Five) Officers and 9 (Nine) personnel of the department.

MK Singh, IPS, Commandant General of Civil Defence and Home Guards, presented the Director General of Civil Defence and Home Guards Meghalaya Commendation Certificates to 2 (Two) Officers and 13 (Thirteen) personnel of the department.

The celebration of the 62nd Raising Day was marked by a parade featuring four contingents, comprising the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, Central Training Institute of Civil Defence and Home Guards, Brass Band from Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, and Pipe Band from the Central Training Institute of Civil Defence and Home Guards. The celebrations also featured a demonstration of an SDRF rescue operation simulating floods.