New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid homage to police martyrs at the National Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, on Police Commemoration Day.
Shah also flagged off a motorcycle rally from the capital. CRPF Director General Gyanendra Pratap Singh briefed him about the rally.
This motorcycle rally is by about 90 police riders from States/UTs (Jammu & Kashmir, Ladakh, Himachal Pradesh, Uttarakhand, Uttar Pradesh, Punjab, Haryana, Chandigarh and Delhi); Central Armed Police Forces (CRPF, CISF, BSF, SSB, ITBP and NSG) and some Central Police Organisations (RPF, NDRF and NIA).
According to the statement, this initiative is part of a nationwide ‘Fight Against Drugs’ rally, in which police riders from all States, Union Territories, and Central Forces will converge at Ekta Nagar, Gujarat, to participate in the Ekta Parade on October 31.
Tributes were also paid to the martyrs by the Shahid Pushtika Rakshak Toli, a ceremonial police squad tasked with safeguarding and presenting the Martyrs’ Book during commemorative services.
Prior to the event, HM Shah took to social media platform X to pay salutations to the martyrs of our police forces.
“On Police Commemoration Day, salutations to the martyrs of our police forces who made the supreme sacrifice for the country. Our police personnel have upheld the highest examples of patriotism by offering their lives to shield the honour of the Motherland and protect its citizens. I extend my heartfelt gratitude to them on behalf of the nation,” he said.
On the lines of previous years, Police Commemoration Day will be observed across the country to pay homage to police martyrs. The main function will be organised at National Police Memorial, New Delhi, where a joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police would be held.
As part of the remembrances, CAPFs/CPOs will organise various commemorative events at NPM from October 22 to 30, which will include visits of family members of martyrs, Police Band Display, motorcycle rallies, Run for Martyrs, blood donation camps, essay/painting competitions for children and display of video films showcasing sacrifice, valour and services of police personnel, said the statement.
On this day in 1959, 10 valiant policemen laid down their lives in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh. Since then, October 21 is observed as Police Commemoration Day every year.
In recognition of the sacrifices made by police personnel and their paramount role in preserving national security and integrity, the Prime Minister dedicated the National Police Memorial (NPM), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, to the nation on Police Commemoration Day 2018.
(IANS)
