Nagaland police joined the rest of the country in observing the Police Commemoration Day by remembering the sacrifices of policemen in line of duty at a function held at New Police Reserve, Tennis Court, Phesama here on Monday.
On October 21, 1959, CRPF scripted a saga of valour and sacrifice in the snow-laden, inaccessible, inhospitable terrain of Hot Springs in Ladakh. A patrol party of 20 CRPF personnel and Intelligence Bureau had gone to search for a missing reconnaissance party when it was ambushed by PLA (Chinese Army). In spite of the sudden attack and disadvantageous tactical position, they fought valiantly against the Chinese army personnel who were in large numbers and heavily armed. In this battle, ten CRPF men were martyred in defence of the country. Since then, Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year to honour the loyalty and supreme sacrifice of police personnel for the nation.
Led by DGP Nagaland, John Longkumer, police officers and paramilitary personnel laid wreaths and paid homage to the brave and courageous policemen who have laid down their lives. In his address, Longkumer reminded that the duty of a policeman required a lot of sacrifice to ensure that the society was safe.
He said on daily basis policemen combat anti-socials, terrorists and disruptive forces that threaten to tear nation from the inside, but the sacrifice of a human life was the supreme sacrifice.
DGP reminded that Nagaland police personnel have also made such supreme sacrifice and have lost many precious lives both at home and outside in the states like Chhattisgarth and West Bengal.
He said the courage and sacrifice of those martyrs would always be remembered by the department and also by those they died protecting. He said that altogether 292 policemen all over India have laid down their lives in the service of the nation this year alone.
DGP paid respects to those brave and valiant police personnel who sacrificed their valuable lives to protect the integrity and security of the country. “We mourn their loss, share the pain and the vacuum they leave behind for their loved, near and dear ones,” DGP said.
He reminded that today was not a day of remembrance, but a day to “renew our pledge to serve our people, to secure and maintain the integrity of our nation”.
On the occasion, AIG (Ops) Vikram Ezung read out the names of the 292 policemen from across the country who were killed in line of duty.