"All citizens should participate to make it a success": KT Rama Rao on mock drills

He also strongly condemned the terrorist attack in Pahalgam, which left the country in a state of shock.

Speaking to ANJI in Hyderabad, KT Rama Rao said, "The most reprehensible terrorist attack that happened in Pahalgam has left the country in a state of shock. Today, whatever the Union government decides in terms of decisive action against these terrorists, I think the country should stand with them."

He highlighted the significance of the security preparedness initiative, stating, "And a mock drill is being called by the MHA across various cities in India. I think all citizens should participate to make it a success."

Calling the initiative a matter of collective responsibility, he added, "Because this is in the national interest, and anything in the national interest, BRS will certainly support it."

Union Home Ministry has asked several states to conduct mock drills on May 7 to enhance Civil Defence effectiveness. The measures to be undertaken include operationalisation of Air Raid Warning Sirens and training of civilians, students, and others on Civil Defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of a hostile attack.

According to a letter written to Chief Secretaries, the Union Home Ministry said the exercise aims to assess and enhance the readiness of Civil Defence mechanisms across states and Union Territories.

The exercise is planned up to the village level. "Ministry of Home Affairs has decided to organise Civil Defence Exercise and rehearsal across 244 categorised Civil Defence Districts of the country on May 7, 2025," the letter said.

The primary objectives of the mock drill include assessing the effectiveness of air raid warning systems, operationalisation of hotline, radio communication links with IAF, testing functionality of control rooms and shadow rooms, training of civilians including students on civil defence aspects to protect themselves in the event of hostile attack and provision of crash blackout measures.

The objectives also include the provision of early camouflaging of vital installations, to verify the activation and response of Civil Defence Services including warden services, firefighting, rescue operations and depot management, assessing the implementation of crash blackout measures and evaluating the preparedness of evacuation plans and their execution.

The Home Ministry had on May 2 written to Chief Secretaries of all states and UTs about civil defence preparedness in the vulnerable areas and districts.

Twenty-six people were killed in the terror attack in Pahalgam on April 22. The government has said that perpetrators will face severe punishment. (ANI)