Shillong, April 1 The Meghalaya government on Wednesday raised two battalions of the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF), boosting its capabilities to mitigate natural calamities, a minister said.
Each of the two battalions will comprise 354 personnel, taking the total strength to 708, officials said, adding that one battalion will be stationed in the Garo Hills region while the other will cater to Shillong and Jaintia Hills.
The battalions were raised at a function held at the Civil Defence and Home Guards Complex in Mawdiangdiang here, where state Civil Defence and Home Guards Minister Brenning A Sangma unfurled the unit flag to mark the occasion.
"Meghalaya, with its challenging terrain and heavy rainfall, remains vulnerable to landslides, flash floods, and other natural disasters. In this context, strengthening disaster response capabilities is of paramount importance," he said.
The minister said the initiative is unique as the battalions have been raised by subsuming the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion, enabling optimal utilisation of trained manpower and resources.
"Such an approach is not commonly adopted across all states and reflects innovation and administrative foresight," he added.
The minister said the raising of the battalions marks a significant step towards enhancing the state's preparedness and resilience, adding that the units will be equipped with modern rescue equipment and will be trained in specialised disaster response techniques.
Commissioner and Secretary of the department, Vijay Kumar Mantri, said the SDRF in Meghalaya was initially raised in 2014 with a strength of one company drawn from Civil Defence and Home Guards personnel.
He said the formal raising of two battalions after subsuming permanent posts from the Border Wing Home Guards marks a major expansion, and efforts will be made to ensure adequate SDRF presence across districts.
Mantri also said that in line with the Centre's directives, the state has approved the renaming of the Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards as the Meghalaya Industrial Security Force (MISF), as a step towards raising a dedicated industrial security force in the state.
Director of Civil Defence and Inspector General of SDRF, M K Sangma, said the strategic positioning of the battalions will ensure optimal coverage and rapid response across the state.
He said the personnel will be trained to the highest standards in search and rescue, disaster response and emergency management.
