The Directorate of Home Guards and Civil Defence will soon train 1650 civil defence volunteers and 182 home guard volunteers throughout the State.
Commandant General of Home Guards and Director of Civil Defence, AR Mawthoh made the announcement during the 59th Raising Day of Civil Defence and Home Guards in CTI Parade Ground, Mawdiangdiang today.
He said department is also engaged in capacity building programs by imparting training in schools, colleges as well as to the general public in civil defence and disaster management.
Mawthoh highlighted the contribution of the home guards and civil defence in various security related duties as well as in disaster management. He said its personnel are also tasked to assist the civil administration in times of emergency or natural calamities or man-made disasters or in the event of war.
He also mentioned the role of the State Disaster Response Force, who plays a vital in conducting search and rescue operations during natural disasters in the State.
Mawryngkneng MLA, Pyniaid Sing Syiem who attended the raising day as the chief guest said community volunteers trained by the civil defence and home guards department in disaster related subjects is crucial for saving lives.
Acknowledging the dedicated service and contribution of the Department, Syiem said that the twin organisations of Civil Defence & Home Guards have over the years rendered yeomen’s service to the society.
Apart from their regular service, Syiem said the contribution and service of the Civil Defence and Home Guards organisation especially in the face of the COVID-19 pandemic in the State deserves special and worthwhile mention because they have shown utmost dedication.
At function, Syiem also pinned medals for Home Guards and Civil Defence Medal for Meritorious Service to two Civil Defence and Home Guards personnel. He also distributed the Director General Civil Defence Disc & Commendation Certificate, MHA, New Delhi 2020, to eight recipients.
Mawthoh awarded the Director General Civil Defence Disc & Commendation Certificate, MHA, New Delhi 2014 to six recipients and also the Commandant General of Home Guards and Director of Civil Defence Meghalaya Commendation Certificate, 2021 to eight CD & HG personnel along with the cash awards.
Thirty-two personnel of the department who voluntarily donated blood this year were also awarded appreciation certificates.
Apart from a dazzling parade by four contingents comprising of the Central Training Institute of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards and District Training Centre Home Guards East Khasi Hills, the celebration of the 59 Raising Day also featured a demonstration of an SDRF rescue operations simulating an earthquake, display of Unarmed Combat sparring and a band display by the Brass Band of the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion.
Due to the present Covid-19 pandemic, the raising day was celebrated in two venues, Civil Defence & Home Guards Parade Ground in Mawdiangdiang and District Home Guards Training Centre in Tura where MK Sangma, Jt. Commandant General of Home Guards & Jt. Director of Civil Defence was the chief guest.
