Shillong: As many as 239 Guardsmen and personnel of equivalent ranks passed out from the 5th Basic Course of the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department at a passing-out parade held at the Parade Ground of the Civil Defence and Home Guards Complex, Mawdiangdiang, Shillong, on Tuesday.
Minister for Civil Defence and Home Guards Brening A. Sangma reviewed the parade contingents and witnessed the oath-taking ceremony of the newly trained personnel.
Congratulating the recruits on successfully completing their basic training, Sangma stressed the responsibilities that come with wearing the uniform and highlighted the role of Civil Defence, Home Guards and the State Disaster Response Force (SDRF) as first responders during disasters, emergencies, accidents and other critical situations.
He urged the new recruits to continuously strengthen their skills in rescue operations, first aid, emergency response, crowd management, communication and disaster preparedness.
Emphasising the values of “Discipline, Duty and Dedication”, the minister called upon the personnel to uphold integrity, courage, humility, compassion and respect for the public while discharging their duties.
“Serve with pride. Serve with honour. Serve with humility,” Sangma told the recruits, urging them to make their uniform a symbol of integrity, courage and service.
Commissioner and Secretary of the Civil Defence and Home Guards Department, Vijay Kumar Mantri, also highlighted several developments within the department.
Mantri said the recent decision to subsume 708 permanent posts of the Border Wing Home Battalions into two battalions of the SDRF would help the state achieve two objectives — providing dedicated manpower to the SDRF while reverting the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion into a semi-voluntary organisation as mandated by the Ministry of Home Affairs.
He said the move would also enable the state government to claim reimbursement from the Centre for expenditure related to the Border Wing Home Guards Battalion.
Recalling last year’s Rozgar Mela, where appointment letters were distributed to 445 newly recruited personnel, Mantri lauded the Directorate of Civil Defence and Home Guards for conducting the four-phase recruitment process without controversy.
He said the department was also witnessing increasing demand for Home Guards to provide security at vital installations and government offices across the state.
Mantri further said the government’s recent approval to rename the erstwhile Meghalaya Secretariat Home Guards as the Meghalaya Industrial Security Force (MISF) was an important step towards creating a more professional security service in the state.
The 239 recruits began their basic training on November 22, 2025, and underwent approximately nine months of training at the Civil Defence and Home Guards Training Centre (CTI), Shillong, and the District Training Centre (DTC), Jowai.
The training covered physical training, drill, weapons training, CSSR, Medical First Responder (MFR) skills, field craft, battle craft, jungle training, high-rise rescue, field machines, as well as the Civil Defence Act and Disaster Management Act. The recruits were also trained in departmental functions, hierarchy, and their roles and responsibilities.
As part of their community-oriented activities, the trainees participated monthly in the Clean Shillong Campaign led by JIVA CARES.
Several trainees were felicitated for outstanding performance in physical training, drill, weapons training, academic subjects and overall conduct.
Among the trainees trained at CTI Shillong, Fourbornson Wahlang was adjudged Overall Best and also received the award for CD Subjects. Yoolanki Khongiong won the Indoor and Home Guards Subjects awards, while Wesper Langbang was recognised as the best performer in Outdoor activities.
Graceeduce Suchiang received the award for Exemplary Conduct, while Mackiour Ch. Momin won the Physical Training award. Raymond Pynshai Lyngwa was awarded for Weapons Training, and the Drill award was jointly won by Sankirangbah Suchiang and Bankerlang Rani.
Among the trainees trained at DTC Jowai, Kamnibait Phyllei was named Overall Best. Sengseng D Sangma received the CD Subjects award, while Poibiang Lamare won the Home Guards Subjects award. Astin D Sangma was awarded for Physical Training, Chatarly Tyngkan for Drill and Mebanjop Kurbah for Weapons Training.
The passing-out parade also featured an impressive march past, an oath-taking ceremony, demonstrations of unarmed combat techniques and a cultural programme showcasing the blend of tradition, discipline and dedication.
Joint Director of Civil Defence B. Mukhim delivered the welcome address, while Commandant of CTI Shillong B. Warjri administered the oath and presented the training report.
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