Police Martyrs Day

Since Independence, 34,832 Police personnel have sacrificed their lives for safeguarding the integrity of the nation and providing security to people of our country. Every year on October 21st, the country comes together to pay homage to the immortal martyrs, called upon to be always ready to face every challenge and by take inspiration from the martyrs.

Police Martyrs Day; Source: Google Images

Police commemoration day is celebrated every year to honour the policemen who sacrificed their lives on the line of duty. This day's history is linked to the 1959 Chinese incursion. On October 20 1959, ten policemen gave the sarvochha balidaan or the ultimate sacrifice while defending our country against the Chinese troops at Ladakh border.

During this time, the Indo-Tibet border was guarded by the police forces. On October 20, 1959, three parties were launched as a part of the Indian expedition from Hot springs in North Eastern Ladakh in the chilling winter at a height of 10,500 feet. While two of them returned by the afternoon, the third one consisting of two policemen and a potter did the return.

The next day a search mission was started led by DSP Shri Karam Singh. On nearing a hill, they were opened fire at by the Chinese troops, who threw grenades at them. In the course of the ensuing battle that followed, ten of our brave Police Personnel attained martyrdom and seven others sustained injuries. Their bodies were returned by the Chinese after 3 weeks post which they were cremated with full police honour .

In order to commemorate the exceptional act of Valour by the men of CRPF, 21st October is observed as ‘Police Commemoration Day' for all Police Forces across the country. After the 1959 ambush, it was also decided to erect a memorial at Hot Springs and, every year, members of Police Forces from different parts of the country trek to Hot Springs to pay homage to those gallant martyrs.

Every year on this day, ceremonies are held in all parts of the country by police departments and government servants. The brave hearts are honoured and their names are acknowledged with pride. They are paid homage with two minute shoka shastra or silence is observed for the departed souls and three volley of shots are fired as a mark of respect to the martyrs.

On Police Commemoration Day 2021, Prime Minister Narendra Modi expressed his gratitude to the police personnel and their families. "Police Commemoration Day is about expressing gratitude to our police personnel and their families all across India. We pay tributes to all the police personnel martyred in the line of duty. Their sacrifice and service would always be remembered," Modi tweeted.

According to data from the National Police Memorial, a total of 35,134 police personnel have died in the line of duty from Independence till 31 August 2019. Every year more that 350 police personnels lay down their lives while serving the country. The supreme sacrifice made by our bravehearts for maintaining law and order, unity, and integrity of the nation can never be forgotten.