Tripura drill brings back memories of 1971 war

Agartala: The Tripura administration has scheduled statewide civil defence mock drills for Wednesday from 4 pm, as part of a nationwide exercise. Such drills were previously conducted during the 1971 Bangladesh Liberation War against Pakistan.

District authorities have issued guidelines regarding civilian responses during the emergency simulation exercise. Following the recent Pahalgam terror incident, these comprehensive nationwide civil defence drills indicate India's preparation for possible confrontation with Pakistan.

The state's disaster management authority coordinated with eight district magistrates, emergency response units and civil administrators to ensure proper execution of the drill, helping citizens understand protocols during wartime emergencies.

According to officials, the home affairs ministry instructed state govts on Monday to conduct mock drills across 244 vulnerable districts. These exercises aim to assess civil defence readiness and provide training to civilians and students in defence techniques for responding to aerial strikes or missile attacks.

The exercise includes practising blackouts in urban regions to prevent enemy aerial surveillance. Additionally, it involves training in concealment of crucial facilities like power stations, communication centres, and military installations, alongside evacuation procedures and shelter management to ensure civilian safety during emergencies.

The Tripura govt intends to extend these exercises to village level. The main aims include testing air raid warning systems, verifying Hotline or Radio Communication Links with the Indian Air Force, and assessing control room operations.

The programme includes activation of air raid sirens, signalling warfare readiness and anticipated cross-border tensions. These measures reflect scenarios from previous Indo-Pakistani conflicts, particularly the 1971 conflict between East Pakistan and West Pakistan, where civilian preparedness was crucial for national defence.