We are living in dangerous times indeed, when political, religious, social, communal violence and mindless terrorism are everyday occurrences that kill and maim innocent people and vastly threaten the national and the civil society. We talk of the failure of the agencies that after working overtime cannot warn in time of impending violence/ attacks hardly considering our own responsibilities: violence has assumed such a dimension that unless the citizens put their best foot forward no agency can be successful in curbing the menace. Time has come when citizens will have to share part of the blame for which they put the secret services in the dock.

The serial bomb blasts that rocked the pink city should be a reminder both to the government and the citizens that we do not have and effective Civil Defence in place to meet exigencies that are now becoming routine. I had questioned in the past whether we had anything like the Civil Defence mechanism in the state? It was good news that the then Chief Secretary called an immediate meeting and found out that the Civil Defence preparedness was in a shambles. Administrative lethargy/indifference, inadequacy of funds and lack/absence of coordination among various departments made Civil Defence inoperational. I do not know what was the outcome of the Chief Secretary's meeting with the DGP in-charge and the other officers but I am told that things today stand as they were before. Could we possibly ignore such a vital mechanism? Agreed that Civil Defence is not a single department but a conglomerate of all the government departments and the citizens that work for a common goal of defending the citizens, sensitive, vital military and industrial installations. Basically, it is a people's programme amply supported by the various agencies of the government. During peace time it works as a benign force, while in troubled times, it acts as an armed force, with the full backing of the citizens, most of whom are trained volunteers. Spies, rumormongers, anti-social elements and terrorists are its prime targets. Maintaining peace and harmony through effective public relations are its avowed objectives.

Civil Defence has never received the attention and importance it deserved, in spite of the fact that it is an institution which may come handy not only during civil and military strife, but also in day-to-day working of the cities through its active Mohalla Committees. The locality registers form a close reliable census and may be of immense use to the police in keeping an eye on the criminals and terrorists, besides facilitating the all-important health and educational programmes. The District Administration and the Municipal Corporation/Municipalities should help constitute Mohalla Committees that will prove to be a grand, multipurpose tool for variety of social functions. Once these Mohalla Committees are constituted they will create a responsible citizenry that will assist the District Administration and the Police in a variety of ways. The greatest beneficiaries of the Mohalla Committee will be the Municipal Corporations who often complain of the apathy and non-cooperation of the citizens towards their city improvement programmes and the municipal services they offer. The citizens in turn will also become a force to reckon with and will acquire a united strength to make their presence felt and their voice heard for a better city.

I have not heard of any activities of the Civil Defence so far taking place anywhere. Never heard a siren announcing (God forbid) air raid or an earthquake. The citizens have a right to know whether or not our Civil Defence is in fighting trim condition? It is a vital issue and we hope that the Chief secretary would look into the matter.