New Delhi, October 21: Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, and Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid heartfelt tributes to India’s police personnel on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, honouring their courage, dedication, and supreme sacrifices in the line of duty.
In a post on X, Prime Minister Modi said,
“On Police Commemoration Day, we salute the courage of our police personnel and recall the supreme sacrifice by them in the line of duty. Their steadfast dedication keeps our nation and people safe. Their bravery and commitment in times of crisis and in moments of need are appreciable.”
Union Home Minister Amit Shah also extended greetings, acknowledging the invaluable contribution of the police in maintaining internal security.
“As first responders, our forces have scripted glory by thwarting crimes and threats to internal security, and by protecting citizens’ rights with exemplary courage and commitment. My solemn homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives serving the nation,” he said.
Defence Minister Rajnath Singh attended the Police Commemoration Day ceremony at the National Police Memorial (NPM) in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, where he laid floral tributes to the martyrs.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said,
“This is the day to remember the supreme sacrifices made by our police and paramilitary forces. I pay my tributes to those who have fallen in the line of duty to protect the citizens of this nation.”
He emphasized that society and police are interdependent pillars of peace and progress.
“Any society can move towards peace and prosperity only when it has security, justice, and trust. Our police ensure all three. At the same time, the police can function effectively only with public cooperation and respect for the law,” he added.
Singh further noted that every nation’s security rests on two pillars — external and internal security — highlighting the vital role of the armed forces, coast guard, and police in ensuring national stability.
In Mumbai, Maharashtra Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis offered floral tributes at the Police Headquarters, Naigaon, and interacted with families of fallen police personnel.
“CM Devendra Fadnavis humbly offered floral tributes to the brave police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the nation,” the CMO Maharashtra stated in a post on X.
Honouring the Heroes of Hot Springs
Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21 to commemorate the bravery of ten CRPF personnel who were martyred in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959.
In recognition of the sacrifices made by police personnel, Prime Minister Modi inaugurated the National Police Memorial in 2018, which symbolizes the unity, pride, and resilience of India’s police forces. The memorial features a 30-foot granite cenotaph, a ‘Wall of Valour’, and a museum chronicling the history of Indian policing.
Each year, CAPFs and CPOs organize a week-long series of events from October 22 to 30, including family visits, police band displays, motorcycle rallies, a “Run for Fallen Policemen”, blood donation camps, and school competitions — all held in honour of the nation’s brave police martyrs.
