Aizawl, (UNI) In the wake of a civil defence mock drill conducted in Aizawl on May 7, the remaining ten districts of Mizoram are actively preparing to conduct similar exercises and launch awareness campaigns on public safety protocols in the event of potential air raids, amid heightened tensions between India and Pakistan.
Deputy commissioners across the state have convened meetings to chalk out detailed civil defence action plans tailored for their respective districts. During these meetings, officials emphasised that the formulation and implementation of district-level civil defence strategies have now become an urgent concern not only for the Government of India but also for the state administration.
One deputy commissioner underlined the importance of staying alert despite Mizoram’s geographical distance from the international border. “What is a national priority is a state priority — and therefore a district priority as well,” the official said, calling for heightened vigilance and cooperation from all quarters.
District authorities also issued strong appeals to the public, urging citizens to act responsibly, particularly on social media. They warned against sharing information about troop movements, stressing that such actions could compromise national security. “In these times, cooperation and discipline are not only essential but also a patriotic duty,” a district official remarked.
In line with these efforts, control rooms dedicated to civil defence operations are being set up in all district headquarters. District transport officers in some areas have been directed to compile exhaustive lists of all vehicles registered within their jurisdictions, with a focus on identifying and categorising those that can be mobilised for rescue and relief operations during emergencies.
Officials reaffirmed their commitment to safeguarding the public and stressed that full participation and cooperation from citizens would be crucial to the success of these preparedness measures.
Meanwhile, civil defence drills are being planned in all district headquarters with a renewed focus on efficiency, following shortcomings observed during the Aizawl exercise. One of the most notable lapses during Wednesday’s drill was the failure to enforce a complete power blackout — a critical aspect in simulating an air raid scenario.
A review meeting chaired by the state chief secretary on Thursday took serious note of the issue, observing that many homes, churches, and even some Central Armed Police Force (CAPF) establishments remained illuminated during the scheduled five-minute blackout due to use of power inverters and backup systems.
Officials said that lessons learned from Aizawl’s experience will guide future drills in other districts to ensure more realistic and effective civil defence exercises going forward.
