In the aftermath of the Pahalgam terror attack of April 2025 and India’s decisive response through Operation Sindoor, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) directed all States and Union Territories to organise a one-day Coordination Meeting-cum-Workshop on Civil Defence. The directive called for the participation of Deputy Commissioners (Controllers of Civil Defence) and District Commandants of Home Guards (Dy. Controllers of Civil Defence) to strengthen the coordination mechanism at the district level. In compliance with this directive, the Directorate of Home Guards, Civil Defence and State Disaster Response Force, Nagaland, organised the programme on 4^th October, 2025 at its Headquarters, Kohima.

Delivering the keynote address, Renchamo P. Kikon, IPS, Director General Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, highlighted the changing geo-political landscape of the subcontinent in the wake of the attack, which has necessitated the mobilization and capacity building of Civil Defence volunteers across the nation. He informed that, in view of this, the Government of India, Ministry of Home Affairs, has conceptualized the “Scheme for Training and Capacity Building of Civil Defence”, which is to be implemented by 31^st March 2026.

As part of this initiative, MoU in this regard was signed on 9^th June, 2025 between the Directorate General, Fire Service, Civil Defence and Home Guards, MHA, Government of India, and the Directorate of Home Guards, Civil Defence and SDRF, Nagaland. Under the terms of the MoU, Nagaland has been entrusted with the responsibility to:

1.      Train 20 Master Trainers at the Central Training Institute, Toluvi, Dimapur, and

2.      3600 Civil Defence Wardens and Volunteers across the 10 Civil Defence Districts - Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Zunheboto, Phek, Tuensang, Mon, Kiphire and Peren.

In his remarks, Medozhalie Pienyu, Deputy Commandant General, underlined the vital role of Warden Service in the Civil Defence Organisation. He urged the Deputy Commissioners and district officials to identify and appoint individuals of repute as Civil Defence Wardens, noting that they serve as the critical link between the Government and the community during emergencies and disasters.

An interactive Question & Answer session followed. The programme concluded with closing remarks by Mulai Lamniah, Senior Staff Officer, who chaired the proceedings and expressed appreciation to all participants for their active involvement and commitment to the cause of Civil Defence and community safety.

(DIPR)