Mawdiangdiang, April 1: The Raising Ceremony of Two Battalions of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) of Meghalaya was organized today at the Civil Defence & Home Guards Complex at Mawdiangdiang, Shillong.
Hon’ble Minister of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Shri Brenning A Sangma as the Chief Guest on the occasion unfurled the Unit Flag of Meghalaya’s State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) to symbolize the raising of the two Battalions.
Speaking on the occasion, the Minister said that “Meghalaya, with its challenging terrain and heavy rainfall, remains vulnerable to landslides, flash floods, and other natural disasters. In this context, strengthening disaster response capabilities is of paramount importance.”
Lauding the department for raising the SDRF battalions, the Minister said that the initiative is particularly noteworthy and unique, as these battalion has been raised by subsuming the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, thereby optimally utilizing existing trained manpower and resources for a more focused and specialized disaster response role. “Such an approach is not commonly adopted across all states and reflects innovation and administrative foresight” he added.
The Minister further stated that the raising of these two SDRF Battalions marks a significant step towards enhancing the preparedness and resilience of the state. Functioning under the guidance and coordination of the Directorate of Civil Defence & Home Guards, these battalions will be equipped with modern rescue equipment and trained in specialized disaster response techniques.
Delivering an address on the occasion, Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Civil Defence and Home Guards Department said that the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) was initially raised in the State with a strength of one Company drawn from the Civil Defence and Home Guards personnel, in the year 2014.
He said that it was therefore befitting that a formal ceremony is being organized today for raising two Battalions of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) after the subsumption of 708 permanent posts in Border Wing Home Guards Battalion. Appreciating the efforts of the Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards for the initiative, Shri Mantri said that efforts will be on to expand to each district has sufficient SDRF battalions.
Highlighting the other achievements of the Civil Defence & Home Guards department, he stated that today the regular Home Guards company guarding the Secretariat buildings of the state has been supplemented with Home Guards Volunteers.
He further stated that in line with the Government of India’s directive to raise a State Industrial Security Force (SISF) in each state, the state government has approved the re-naming of the Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards (MSHG), a company of permanent Home Guards personnel guarding the three Secretariat buildings as the Meghalaya Industrial Security Force (MISF). This is just one step towards raising a full fledged MISF battalion in the state under the command and control of the Civil Defence and Home Guards department, he added.
Shri MK Sangma, Director of Civil Defence & Inspector General of SDRF while speaking on the occasion said that the two SDRF battalions comprising of 354 personnel in each battalion will be strategically positioned—one in the Garo Hills region and the other battalion to cater to both Shillong & Jaintia Hills respectively.
He said that their strategic positioning is to ensure optimal coverage and rapid response across the state. It goes without saying that this deployment will significantly enhance our ability to respond swiftly and effectively to disasters in different regions.
Shri Sangma stated that the battalions will be trained to the highest standards in search and rescue, disaster response, and emergency management and that the Department is committed to equipping personnel with modern tools and the necessary skills to respond swiftly and effectively in times of crisis.
Others who spoke on the occasion were Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Civil Defence & Home Guards and Shri B Mukhim, Jt. Director of Civil Defence who read out the Government Notification for the subsumption of 708 Posts of Border Wing Home Guards Battalion into SDRF Battalions.
The Raising Ceremony was marked by a Parade comprising of two SDRF contingents accompanied by the Brass Band of the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion and the Pipe Band of the Central Training Institute, CD&HG. It also featured a demonstration on Search & Rescue by the SDRF and a display of their rescue equipment and tools.
The Raising Ceremony was attended by Shri MK Singh, IPS, Commandant General of Home Guards, Shri Vijay Kumar Mantri, IAS, Commissioner & Secretary, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Shri DP Marak, IPS, IGP (SB/Borders), Shri Zenithsky J Sangma, MCS, Inspector General of Prisons & Correctional Services, Shri RP Khongwar, Jt. Commandant General of Home Guards, Officers and Personnel of the Civil Defence & Home Guards Department, Officers of State Government and other guests and invitees.
