Nagaland Home Guards celebrate Raising Day

Dimapur, Dec. 6 (EMN): The Nagaland Home Guards, Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), observed its 58th Raising Day at its headquarters in Kohima on December 6.

The annual celebration was marked by a short formal programme unlike previous years because of the ongoing Covid-19 pandemic, an update from DIPR stated.

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. It said that Pienyu highlighted the various activities of the department and the role it plays in aiding the state police in maintaining law and order and protection of important institutions.

He further acknowledged the sacrifice and hard work of the SDRF personnel in the fight against Covid-19 and also paid tribute to the lone SDRF personnel who succumbed to Covid-19 complications while in the line of duty. He said that every Naga is indebted to him for his ultimate sacrifice.

SR Saravanam, ADG commended the department for the work it has been doing, most importantly as first responders during times of calamities and disasters be it natural or manmade.

"He admitted that it has been a tough year for the personnel 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 personnels 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," it read.

Dimapur unit of the Home Guards also celebrated Raising Day at the office premises of district commandant on December 6.

During the function, the district commandant Y Khenito Chishi highlighted when and how the organisation was formed in the country and the role played by the organisation during the current Covid-19 pandemic, a DIPR report stated.

To mark the day, a demonstration on sliding stretcher from ladder, emergency method of rescue as well as donning and doffing of PPE kits were displayed by SDRF personnel.

The programme was chaired by the company commander Lichemse Sangram. Other highlights of the day included invocation prayer by Angukato, reading of VIP messages by Lipoksashi, song presentation by Lance Naik Chuwachu and presentation of DG commendation certificate to six staff and personnel.