New Delhi, Oct 21: Intelligence Bureau (IB) Director Dr Mahesh Dixit on Wednesday paid rich tributes to police personnel across the country who laid down their lives in the line of duty, revealing that 154 police personnel died serving the nation over the past year and 36,852 have made the ultimate sacrifice since Independence. He was addressing a gathering on Police Commemoration Day at National Police Memorial in New Delhi.
Highlighting the solemnly and historic origin of the day, Dr Dixit recalled the brave sacrifice of CRPF personnel in 1959 that led to the annual commemoration across India.
“Today, on Police Commemoration Day, we have gathered at the National Police Memorial to pay tribute to those brave police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty over the past year. We have also assembled to honour all our fallen comrades who made the ultimate sacrifice in the line of duty since India achieved independence. On this day, October 21, 1959, ten valiant CRPF personnel led by Karam Singh, DCIO of the Intelligence Bureau, sacrificed their lives while confronting an armed Chinese military contingent along the India-China border. Since then, we have observed this day every year as Police Commemoration Day,” Dr Dixit said.
Detailing the nationwide observance and the week-long commemorative events scheduled to follow, the IB Director noted the active participation of central armed forces and the families of the fallen personnel.
“On this day, tributes are paid to our fallen comrades through various programmes held in state capitals, districts and at police stations At the national level, a joint commemorative parade has been organized here today, featuring personnel from the BSF, CISF, ITBP, SSB, NSG, Assam Rifles, RPF, NDRF, and the Delhi Police. In accordance with the recommendations made by the Prime Minister during the 2019 Conference of Directors General and Inspectors General of Police, various commemorative events will be organized at this National Police Memorial by different Central Armed Police Forces from October 22 to October 30. The families of our fallen comrades will also participate in these events. Over the past year, 154 police personnel have laid down their lives in the line of duty. Since independence, a total of 36,852 police personnel have made the ultimate sacrifice while serving to uphold the nation’s unity and integrity and ensure the safety of its citizens,” he added.
