Meghalaya Distributes Appointment Letters to 445 New Civil Defence & Home Guard Recruits

The Meghalaya government, in a significant step towards strengthening its disaster management and public safety infrastructure, distributed appointment letters to 445 newly recruited personnel of the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department. The event took place at a Rozgar Mela organized in Mawdiangdiang, where the recruits formally received their appointment letters. These newly inducted individuals will serve the department in various capacities, including sub-inspectors, guardsmen, drivers, and non-combatant staff, thus enhancing the manpower and operational strength of the department.

The appointment letters were handed over by Civil Defence and Home Guards Minister Comingone Ymbon, who congratulated the new appointees on their selection. Addressing the gathering, Ymbon emphasized the importance of discipline, integrity, and dedication in their line of duty. He underlined that every action of the recruits would not only reflect on themselves but also on the institution they represent and the state they serve. Highlighting the pivotal role of the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department, Ymbon described it as a crucial force that stands as a “pillar of courage and resilience.” He noted that the department plays an indispensable role during times of natural disasters such as floods, earthquakes, and cyclones, as well as in emergency situations including fires, accidents, and challenges to law and order.

The minister also lauded the successful completion of the recruitment process, which had initially faced delays due to heavy rains during the physical efficiency test. Despite these setbacks, the recruitment process was carried out smoothly and transparently. Civil Defence and Home Guards Secretary Vijay Kumar Mantri shared details about the recruitment drive, revealing that over 22,000 candidates had applied for the posts. From this large pool, the selection process was rigorous and involved physical and written examinations, followed by interviews, ensuring that only the most qualified candidates were appointed. Out of the applicants, 445 were finally chosen to join the department.

Further strengthening the department’s manpower, Director of Civil Defence, M.K. Sangma, announced that another 233 personnel would be recruited in the upcoming months. He also revealed an important structural proposal aimed at addressing manpower shortages in the disaster management framework of the state. Sangma said that the department has submitted a proposal to the Meghalaya government to convert the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion into the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF). The creation of SDRF at the state level would provide Meghalaya with a specialized force equipped to handle disaster preparedness and emergency response more effectively.

Elaborating on this proposal, Sangma explained that while the Border Wing would be transformed into SDRF, the Wing itself would also be raised separately on a voluntary basis. Recruits for the Border Wing would be drawn from areas along the Bangladesh border, in line with the original vision of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs. This dual approach is aimed at not only bolstering the state’s disaster response capabilities but also addressing border security and related concerns.

Officials present at the Rozgar Mela highlighted that the induction of these 445 new recruits would significantly enhance Meghalaya’s preparedness to tackle natural disasters and emergencies. Their addition is expected to strengthen both preventive and response measures, ultimately contributing to greater public safety across the state. With the upcoming recruitment of additional personnel and the proposal for creating the SDRF, the state government is aiming to ensure that Meghalaya is better equipped to handle future calamities and emergencies efficiently and with resilience.

In summary, the event not only marked the entry of 445 new members into the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department but also reflected the state government’s broader vision of reinforcing disaster management, ensuring public safety, and creating a more robust institutional framework for handling crises in Meghalaya.