Shillong, December 5 : The Civil Defence & Home Guards Organization, Meghalaya, proudly observed its 63rd Raising Day on 5th December, 2025 at the Parade Ground, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong. The ceremony highlighted the Organization’s long-standing commitment to safeguarding communities across Meghalaya and strengthening the culture of disaster preparedness, and public service.
In his address, Chief Guest M.K Sangma, Director Civil Defence, congratulated all awardees and highlighted the Civil Defence & Home Guards Department continued efforts in capacity-building, in disaster preparedness, emergency management, community assistance and community safety in Meghalaya. He praised officers, volunteers and the SDRF for their courage and commitment, citing recent rescue operations and the successful statewide execution of Operation Abhyaas on May 7, 2025 as examples of their readiness. He lauded their commitment, courage and professionalism in difficult rescue operations by citing the incident that on 20th November 2025, the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) in a joint operation with the Fire & Emergency Services saved the lives of 3 (three) labourers who were trapped inside debris of earth during a construction related accident at Danakgre, Tura and later recovery of the body of another labour who lost his life in the tragic mishap. He also narrated the retrieval operations of victims of drowning in Ganol River, Umshing, Sohiong and Umkhen River and the search operations for the missing couple from Indore at Sohra.
Sangma outlined significant advancements, including the installation of air raid sirens across all districts and the plan to expand the reach of these Air Raid Siren to the Sub Division and Block Level will also materialise with the approval for procurement of Air Raid Sirens under the Preparedness and Capacity Building Scheme (P&CB) of the State Disaster Response Fund (SDRF). He informed that the Central Training Institute of Civil Defence and Home Guards, Meghalaya was selected as one amongst 17 CTIs in the country to implement this scheme and successfully trained 34 Master Trainers under Phase I of the Central Scheme for Training and Capacity Building of Civil Defence that include 16 Master Trainers from Tripura and 2 Master Trainers from Mizoram apart from 18 Master Trainers from the State. He added that the Civil Defence offices in 7 districts of the state, are engaged in training the 4th batch of Civil Defence Volunteers and Wardens under Phase II of the Centrally Sponsored Scheme which has a target of training 360 CD Volunteers and Warden by the end of this month. He also apprised about the successfully completion of the recruitment process for 445 posts—including sub-inspectors, guardsmen, drivers and non-combatant staff in record time but also for conducting the first ever Rozgar Mela.
Sangma informed about the Government approval in restructuring the SDRF and Border Wing Home Guards (BWHG) as a semi-volunteer force as originally sanctioned by MHA, to strengthen the State’s disaster response capacity. The subsumption of 708 permanent posts of the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion into two Battalions of SDRF consisting of 304 personnel each will be organised as 1st SDRF Bn based in Shillong and catering to the Eastern Range and the 2nd SDRF Battalion based in Tura and catering to the Western Range of the State. The Director of Civil Defence to lead the SDRF as its Inspector General and the Joint Director of Civil Defence to assist him as the Dy. Inspector General of SDRF. Infrastructure upgrades and the establishment of new leadership positions were also emphasized as critical steps toward building a modern and efficient force.
In terms of infrastructure, he added that we continue to build and upgrade office complexes and training facilities across the state, including the new office building for Civil Defence & Home Guards at Jowai, which will serve as a modern hub for administration, training and coordination in the Jaintia Hills region. Plans are afoot to construct a permanent office building of the Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards at the Department’s land in Mawkasiang. This important office of the Department is presently operating from Horse Shoe Building at Lower Lachumiere.
The Chief Guest further stressed the importance of community-based training, awareness and community capacity-building, youth participation, students, teachers, NGOs, government officials and strong partnerships with local institutions to build a resilient society. He noted the growing challenges posed by climate change, urbanization and technological shifts, and highlighted the evolving role of Civil Defence and Home Guards in addressing multi-hazard emergencies.
Sangma encouraged community leaders, Dorbar Shnongs, Nokmas, traditional institutions, NGOs and faith-based organisations to be partners in the initiative of building a resilient community and urged volunteers to remember that when they participate in Home Guard training, they are serving the state and nation, building valuable skills—leadership, discipline, first aid, disaster response, and becoming a role model in your locality. He concluded by saying “ordinary citizens, when trained, organised and inspired, can do extraordinary things for their community”.
The programme commenced with the Chief Guest taking Salute and Review Parade followed by March Past of 4 (four) contingents 1 platoon from Border Wing Home Guards, 1 Platoon from the Central Training Institute with Brass band and Pipe band which was led by John Kennedy Diengdoh, Deputy Controller of Civil Defence, East Jaintia Hills, Khliehriat as parade Commander and Mark A. Thubru, Inspector, District Training Centre, West Khasi Hills District, Nongstoin as the parade 2nd In-Command. Pynkhambor Harris Khongsngi, Commandant, Border Wing HG Bn. Shillong delivered the welcome address.
A key highlight of the ceremony was the presentation of the President’s Meritorious Service Medal by the Chief Guest M. K Sangma, Director, Civil Defence & Home Guards Department to Prafulla Basumatry, Havildar, Border Wing Home Guards Bn., Shillong. He also presented the DG Disc & Commendation Certificate New Delhi, 2024 (Gold, Bronze, and Silver) to 5 recipients to honour their distinguished service, dedication, and outstanding contributions to the Organisation.
R.P. Khongwar, Jt. Commandant General, Home Guards, Meghalaya presented the Director General of Civil Defence & Home Guards, Meghalaya Commendation Certificate, 2025, to acknowledge the personnel who demonstrated exceptional professionalism, discipline, and service excellence within the state.
The event also featured a dynamic Demonstration by the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), showcasing skills in rescue operations, disaster mitigation techniques, and rapid response mechanisms. The demonstration was followed by an impressive Band Display, adding ceremonial grandeur to the celebration.
Others present on the occasion were T Nongneng, Under Secretary, Civil Defence & Home Guards Department, Shri Nehru D Marak, Adviser, Civil Defence & Home Guards and retired Officers of the Department. The programme concluded with a Vote of Thanks by B. Warjri, Commandant, Central Training Institute, Civil Defence & Home Guards, Mawdiangdiang.
