Shillong, Dec 7: Continuing it role of ensuring public security at grassroots level, the Civil Defence and Home Guards department has trained 160 Home Guards and 410 Civil Defence volunteers during 2023-24. Besides, 1,977 trained Home Guards volunteers are currently engaged by various government departments, PSUs and private agencies.
This has served the twin purpose of helping Home Guards volunteers earn some income while providing security to the departments and agencies concerned, said Comingone Ymbon, minister in-charge Civil Defence and Home Guards while addressing the 62nd Raising Day of Civil Defence and Home Guards at CTI Parade Ground, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong on Friday.
“The twin organization of Civil Defence and Home Guards have over the years rendered yeoman’s service to society,” the minister said adding that the two organisations have played a significant role in providing assistance in during natural and other emergencies.
He also lauded the department for imparting 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, Govt officials, etc.
To strengthen the department further, the minister said, it has submitted proposals for sanction of ₹4.16 crore for construction of Flood Simulation Pool for training on water emergency for personnel of State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) and ₹30 lakh for construction of 11 KV line and 200 KVA substation for providing power supply to Civil Defence and Home Guards office at Jowai.
Meanwhile to address man-power shortage in the department, the government has approved recruitment in 448 vacant posts – Sub-Inspector – 4, Guardsman – 284, NCE – 140 and Driver – 17.
The recruitment process is going on by following Transparent Recruitment Process (TRP), Ymbon said.
Earlier, 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 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 five officers and 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 two officers and 13 personnel of the department.
The celebration of 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, Central Training Institute of Civil Defence and Home Guards.
It featured a demonstration of an SDRF rescue operation simulating floods.
