Police Commemoration Day being observed today

Police Commemoration Day is being observed on Monday to pay tribute to the martyrs.

Union Home Minister Sushil Kumar Shinde will pay tribute to martyred police personnel on this solemn occasion at the Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri, here.

Several Ministers, Cabinet Secretary, Home Secretary and senior police officers will also be present on the occasion.

Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year to mark the martyrdom of policemen killed in Ladakh in 1959 and to pay tribute to all other police personnel killed on duty during the year.

Indian Police personnel were responsible for manning the 2,500 mile long border of India with Tibet until the autumn of 1959. On October 20, 1959, three reconnaissance parties were launched from Hot Springs in North Eastern Ladakh in preparation for further movement of an Indian expedition which was on its way to Lanak La.

While members of two parties returned to Hot Springs by the afternoon of that day, the third one comprising of two Police Constables and a Porter did not return. All available personnel were mobilised early the next morning in search of the missing personnel. A party of about 20 personnel of the Intelligence Bureau and CRPF led by Karam Singh, DCIO proceeded ahead on horseback, while others followed on foot in three Sections.

At about mid day, Chinese Army personnel on a hillock opened fire and threw grenades at the party led by Karam Singh. Since there was no cover, most personnel were injured. 10 of them died, seven were taken prisoner by the Chinese and the remaining managed to escape. Bodies of the 10 personnel were returned by the Chinese only on November 28, 1959, full five weeks after the incident. These bodies were cremated with full Police honours at Hot Springs.

The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960 decided that October 21 would henceforth be observed as Commemoration Day in all Police Lines throughout India to mark the memory of these gallant men who were killed in Ladakh and all other Police personnel killed on duty during the year.

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.

Since 1961, 31895 Police personnel have sacrificed their lives for security of the nation and service to the society. During the year (from September 1, 2012 to August 31, 2013), 579 Police personnel throughout the country have laid down their lives on the call of duty.