Northeast: The central government has announced a nationwide civic defence mock drill slated for tomorrow, May 7, with the Northeastern states among the participants. This decision follows the recent escalation of tensions between India and Pakistan in the aftermath of the devastating terror attack in Jammu and Kashmir’s Pahalgam on April 22, which tragically claimed 26 lives.
Tomorrow’s nationwide exercise will encompass a total of 259 locations across the country, categorized into three tiers. The Northeastern states will be actively involved in the drill across Categories II and III, encompassing a significant number of districts within Arunachal Pradesh, Assam, Manipur, Meghalaya, Mizoram, Nagaland, Sikkim, and Tripura.
Districts in various border states, including Rajasthan, Punjab, Jammu & Kashmir, West Bengal, and the Northeast, have received specific instructions to conduct the mock drill simulating a range of multi-hazard scenarios. This comprehensive approach aims to enhance the preparedness of local populations in the face of potential emergencies.
As part of this nationwide preparedness initiative, air raid sirens will be activated across numerous regions of the country on May 7. This will allow civilians to actively participate in the mock drills, providing them with crucial experience and knowledge for self-protection measures in the event of wartime scenarios or similar crises.
In a proactive move to ensure seamless coordination and assess the nation’s civil defence readiness, Home Secretary Govind Mohan is currently chairing a significant meeting. The focus of this crucial gathering is to evaluate and synchronize civil defence preparations across all states in anticipation of the nationwide mock drill scheduled for tomorrow. The meeting includes the participation of Chief Secretaries and Civil Defence Chiefs from various states, with a particular emphasis on the 244 designated Civil Defence Districts that were officially notified in 2010.
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