The Nagaland Home Guards, Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force observed its 58th Raising Day at its headquarters in Kohima on Sunday.
Unlike previous years, a short formal programme was held to celebrate the annual Raising Day because of the Covid19 pandemic.
The Civil Defence in Nagaland preceded the formation of Home Guards Organisation.
The Nagaland Home Guards Organisation was formally established on March 1, 1988, by an ordinance in 1987.
The Nagaland Home Guards Acts of 1988 was passed by the State Legislature on May 12 1988.
Both Civil Defence and Home Guards organisation complement each other and coexist under a common head of office.
While the 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.
Speaking at the formal programme, additional director general of Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, S.R. Saravanam lauded the SDRF personnel for their unending sacrifice and hard work in the fight against Covid19.
He also 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, most importantly as first responders during times of calamities and disasters be it natural or man-made.
Saravanam said it has been a tough year for the SDRF personnel but they have risen to the occasion and done an excellent job by performing much better than other states.
He urged the SDRF personnel to work together cohesively as a team and reminded that they have a big responsibility towards the safety and well being of the citizens.
He urged the department to keep working and keep evolving, learning from past mistakes and failures and be more active on social media platforms to create awareness among the citizens
Director and commandant general, civil defence and home guards, Medozhalie Pienyu spoke on 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.
Pienyu further acknowledged the selfless sacrifice and hard work of the SDRF personnel in the fight against Covid19.
He paid tribute to the lone SDRF personnel, who succumbed to Covid19 complications while in the line of duty and said every Naga is indebted to him for his ultimate sacrifice.
A brief demonstration by SDRF personnel on different rescue techniques during emergencies was organized to mark the occasion.