The Nagaland Home Guards : Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) observed its 58th Raising Day on 6th December 2020 at its headquarters in Kohima. The annual Raising Day Celebrations was marked by only a short formal programme unlike previous years because of the ongoing Covid 19 pandemic.
The formal programme was chaired by Isaac Semy, Staff Officer (Hqrs). Medozhalie Pienyu, DCG gave the introductory address wherein he mentioned in short about the history and formation of the Home Guards Department in the State and how it had evolved over the years. He highlighted the various activities of the Department and the vital role it plays in aiding the State Police in maintaining law and order and protection of important institutions. He further acknowledged the selfless sacrifice and hard work of the SDRF Personals in the fight against Covid 19 who till today continue to be one of the most dedicated and hardworking frontline workers. He also paid tribute to the lone SDRF personnel who succumbed to covid 19 complications while in the line of duty and expressed that every Naga is indebted to him for his ultimate sacrifice. He concluded by acknowledging the selfless service of the Home Guards to the State and the Nation as a whole.
S.R.Saravanam, IPS, ADG speaking at the formal programme commended the department for the excellent work it has been doing in aiding the state police in maintaining law and order as well as regulating traffic and most importantly as first responders during times of calamities and disasters be it natural or man made. He lauded the SDRF for their unending sacrifice and hard work in the fight against Covid 19. He admitted that it has been a tough year for the personals but was happy that the SDRF have risen to the occasion and have done an excellent job and have performed much better than other States. He urged the SDRF personals to work together cohesively as a team and mentioned that they had a big responsibility to look after the safety and well being of the citizens. He encouraged the department to keep working and keep evolving, learning from past mistakes and failures and to be more active on social media platforms to create awareness among the citizens.
The program also witnessed a brief demonstration by SDRF personals on different rescue techniques during emergencies.
The Civil Defence in Nagaland preceded the Home Guards Organization. The Nagaland Home Guards Organization was formally established on 1st March 1988 by an Ordinance of 1987 under the Home Department with the then Home Commissioner as ex-Officio Commandant General. A Dy. Commandant General headed the organisation at the HQ level. This arrangement continued till October 1991 when a regular officer was posted from the IPS with Shri. S.Akang Jamir, IPS, as the first Director General and Lt. Sitlhou, IPS as the first Commandant General,
The Nagaland Home Guards Acts of 1988 was passed by the State Legislature on 12th May 1988. Both Civil Defence and Home Guards organization complement each other and co-exist under a common Head of Office. While Civil Defence deals with incidences arising out of external aggression to the country in general, the Home Guards deal with incidences arising out of internal security, natural calamities like landslides, earthquake, fire etc, strikes, communal disharmony, socio-economic and welfare activities.
(Morotsung Longchar, IA Kohima)
