A high-level meeting was held at the Deputy Commissioner’s Chamber, Zunheboto, on September 8 to deliberate on the formulation and submission of an Action Plan under the State Internal Security Scheme (ISS).
The meeting was chaired by Deputy Commissioner, Dharam Raj, IAS, and attended by officials from various departments and security agencies.
The meeting focused on strengthening the district’s preparedness and response mechanism under the ISS framework. Officials deliberated on various aspects of internal security, emergency preparedness, citizen safety and coordinated response during unforeseen situations.
Key discussions included preparedness for external attacks and other emergency situations, evacuation procedures during major disasters, availability of essential resources and the roles and responsibilities of different departments during an emergency. The need for an effective, accessible and searchable communication and information system was also emphasised.
The meeting also took note of the absence of air raid sirens in Zunheboto district and discussed the need to assess appropriate warning and alert mechanisms for the district. Human rights considerations during emergency and security operations were also discussed.
Law and order were identified as the primary responsibility of the police during the initial response to any emergency situation. The participants further discussed inter-departmental coordination to ensure a swift and organised response during crises.
Publicity and press protocols also formed part of the deliberations. Officials discussed the importance of controlled and responsible dissemination of information during emergencies, including the challenges posed by information warfare, misinformation and the need for appropriate censorship and communication protocols.
Dharam Raj stressed the importance of having a comprehensive and practical plan in place before any emergency occurs. He stated that the district should have a proper theoretical framework backed by adequate resources, clear responsibilities and coordinated mechanisms so that the administration is sufficiently prepared to tackle any unforeseen emergency situation.
The meeting concluded with an emphasis on preparing a comprehensive Action Plan incorporating the requirements, resources, responsibilities and response mechanisms of all concerned departments and security agencies.
(IA Zunheboto)
