Security drills to be held in 300 civil defence districts

Security arrangements in New Delhi amid nationwide defence drills. Pic/PTI

Close to 300 ‘civil defence districts' with sensitive installations like nuclear plants, military bases, refineries, and hydroelectric dams will be covered by security drills on air-raid warning sirens, civilian training for a "hostile attack" and cleaning of bunkers and trenches.

How to conduct the exercise with active public participation was discussed at a high-level meeting chaired by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan who will also review the preparation. The Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) has asked all states to conduct the drills due to the "new and complex threats" that have emerged amid rising tensions with Pakistan.

The authorities in all states will involve students of educational institutions, employees of government and private organisations, hospital staff, railway and metro officials, besides uniformed personnel of the police, paramilitary and defence forces, while conducting the security drills. The ‘civil defence districts' are different from the normal administrative district, as a geographical area having a cantonment or a refinery or a nuclear plant may be designated as a ‘civil defence district'.

According to a home ministry communication, the measures to be taken during the security drills include the operationalisation of air-raid warning sirens, training civilians on civil-defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a "hostile attack" and cleaning of bunkers and trenches. The other measures are provisions for crash-blackout measures, early camouflaging of vital plants and installations and updating and rehearsing evacuation plans.

Security beefed up in Delhi

Security has been heightened in the national capital ahead of scheduled drills. Police have increased day and night patrolling across different areas in the city with a special focus on tourist and market places. Special patrol units have been mobilised to cover key areas, including Connaught Place, India Gate, Janpath, Yashwant Palace, Gole Market and other vital installations.

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