In pursuance to the directive of the Union Ministry of Home Affairs, civil defence drills were carried out on Wednesday across the 10 designated districts of Kohima, Dimapur, Mokokchung, Wokha, Phek, Mon, Tuensang, Peren, Zunheboto and Kiphire. The mock drills under the code name “Operation Abhyaas” were carried out from 4 PM.
Nagaland State Disaster Management Authority (NSDMA) deputy CEO Johnny Ruangmei informed that the participating teams were demobilized by 7.30 PM. A State War Room was set up at the Chief Secretary’s office in the state capital Kohima where periodical reports were submitted by the districts. Ruangmei informed that there will be a state level virtual debriefing at 12.30 PM on Thursday at the Chief Secretary’s conference hall with all the district headquarters and stakeholders.
In Kohima, the exercise was conducted at the Nagaland Civil Secretariat area. As part of the exercise, sirens were sounded at 4 PM by emergency vehicles participating in the mock drill. Deputy Commissioner (DC) Kohima B. Henok Buchem highlighted that the main staging area was at the Capital Convention Centre (CCC) and the incident site at Nagaland Public Service Commission (NPSC) office where an air strike was staged. After the mock incident, resources were rushed to the staging area under the command of one incident commander, from where the injured as well as casualties were evacuated to a temporary hospital located at the directorate of Social Welfare. A demilitarised zone was also set up where people could take shelter in case of air strikes.
As per the DC, the drill was conducted successfully with full participation from all the stakeholders and all the departments.
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Vinod Upadhya from 1 Nagaland NCC Battalion Kohima informed that cadets from senior and junior divisions also participated in the exercise. The official stated that the NCC plays a major role where during such incidents NCC are called to action. He said that the NCC are trained to provide medical assistance and also come prepared on how to guide civilians to safety.
The civil administration, police, home guards, State Disaster Response Force, medical, civil supplies, NCC, and also personnel from Assam Rifles, and other line departments participated in the exercise.
In Dimapur, an air raid scenario was simulated at the DRDA premises. During the mock drill, personnel from the district fire and emergency services and the SDRF swiftly responded to the scene. A total of 27 mock victims were rescued, with seven reported to have sustained minor injuries and three critically injured. All were transported to UPHC Duncan for treatment, where a temporary medical unit was established. Medical teams at UPHC Duncan triaged and provided necessary care to the incoming patients, replicating emergency response procedures during real disasters.
Following the exercise, Dimapur Deputy Commissioner Dr. Tinojongshi Chang emphasized the importance of readiness, stating that disasters could strike at any time, hence the preparedness and awareness of all are crucial for an effective incident response system.
Dr. Chang later told reporters that the operation was successfully executed with active participation from district officials, police, and civil defence units. On the involvement of military forces, he stated that while the Assam Rifles were informed, they could not participate due to prior commitments.
The DC also cautioned the public against the spread of misinformation and urged citizens to verify information before believing or sharing it on social media.
As part of the exercise, a two-minute district-wide blackout was observed in Dimapur at 6:30 PM to simulate a power outage during an emergency.
In Wokha, the exercise was jointly conducted by the District Task Force involving key departments such as the civil administration, police, medical, district disaster management authority, Home Guards and Civil Defence (HG and CD), and SDRF.
A fire incident simulation was carried out where the Fire & Emergency Services personnel demonstrated on extinguishing the fire. A total of nine injured individuals were rescued by the HG and CD and SDRF. Medical personnel provided first aid, and the injured were
subsequently transferred to the District Hospital in Wokha.
Participating in the nationwide civil defence preparedness exercise, a mock drill at the DC’s Complex in Peren to assess and enhance the readiness of civil defence mechanisms in the event of an air raid.
Major, Pranav P Subramanian, who was the observer of the exercise commented that the coordination among the various departments was highly commendable and further urged them to continue working together in the same spirit, to minimize casualties during any real incident.
In Tuensang the exercise was carried out at Parade Ground Tuensang Town. The district sdministration, SDRF, Fire and Emergency Services, DEF, Chie Medical Office, 29 Assam Rifles and DPRO Tuensang actively participated in the mock drill. DC Lithrongla Tongpi Rutsa appreciated all the participants for timely dissemination of information, evacuation and search and rescue operation at the time of disaster. Superintendent of police Longpoksang Lemtur stated that during the time of real incident, one should be ready to follow the steps of the mock drill and timely execution of plan by rescue mission, evacuation, response team and camouflage of important places and run for safer places.
Lt. CoL Harsh Jain of the 29 Assam Rifles, who was the observer of the exercise commented that the mock drill has to be done with all seriousness and learn from it so that no mistakes are committed during actual incidents.
