On ‘Police Commemoration Day’ Saluting 264 Brave Hearts Who Protected Us Despite Pandemic
- On ‘Police Commemoration Day’ Saluting 264 Bravehearts Who Protected Us Despite Pandemic- the Day was observed by Mangaluru Police Commissionerate and Dakshina Kannada Police at the DK Police Commissionerate Premises, on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 at 8 am. As per sources, 34,844 police personnel from all of the central and state police forces have sacrificed their lives since 1947 until now.
Mangaluru: Every year, the country lauds police officers who were martyred while serving the nation as it celebrates “Police Commemoration (Martyrs) Day” in their memory. The police have made a schedule from October 21 to 31 and a standard operation procedure (SOP) issued by the government will be followed for the next ten days. The day intends to honour the martyrs who laid down their lives in the service of the nation. Since the pandemic that kicked in March 2020, police officers from across the country have been working round the clock to ensure minimal violation of COVID-19 norms. On the frontline of the war against coronavirus, police officers have been risking their own lives to contain the spread of COVID-19.
While the Janta Curfew was one of the efforts made to acknowledge and appreciate the sacrifices made by COVID-19 warriors. Another event that intends to appreciate the police forces is celebrated every year on October 21- and that is ‘Police Commemoration Day’ or ‘Police Martyrs Day”. Sources reveal that the history of Commemoration Day dates back to October 21, 1959, when Chinese forces ambushed a patrol party of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) and 10 jawans lost their lives as they continued to fight for the country at the Indo-Tibetan border. The Day is celebrated every year to pay homage to police officials who fight for the safety of others and ensure proper implementation of law and order.
Police Commemoration Day intends to pay tribute to martyred police personnel who laid down their lives to ensure the safety of others. And locally here in Mangaluru, ‘The Police Commemoration/Police Martyrs Day 2020 ‘was observed by Mangaluru Police Commissionerate and Dakshina Kannada Police at the DK Police Commissionerate Premises, on Wednesday, 21 October 2020 at 8 am. Tributes were paid to 264 brave souls, or call them comrades, who lost their lives in line of duty across India, during the 2019-20. As per sources, 34,844 police personnel from all of the central and state police forces have sacrificed their lives since 1947 until 2020. Even though the Cabinet Ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, or MLCs were supposed to join and pay tribute to these heroes on this Day, unfortunately none of them were present today at the Mangaluru ceremony, except top police personnel who reviewed the parade and paid tributes to martyrs.
It was indeed a kind gesture of the top police personnel joined by other law enforcement personnel, including home guards, fire dept personnel, and others, except the Netas. How nice? The sacrifices of policemen in the line of duty were marked with solemnity at the Police Commemoration Day here, with Western Range IGP Devajyoti Ray IPS; joined by Mangaluru Police Commissioner Vikash Kumar Vikash IPS; DK Superintendent of Police Laxmi Prasad IPS; Mangaluru City DCP Law and Order Arunamshugiri IPS; DCP-CAR Mangaluru City Chenna Bassappa Hosamani KSPS; DCP Crime & Traffic Mluru City Vinay A Gaonkar KSPS; Coast Guard Commander-DIG Venkatesh Sundaram Babu; Commandant KSRP 7th Battalion B M Prasad KSPS; SP-DCRE Mangaluru-J Kumraswamy KSPS; Commandant of Home Guard DK District Dr Murali Mohan Chuntharu; District Fire Officer- Mohammed Zulfikhar Nawaz ; ACP/DYSP- Jagadeesh M; Doctor of Police Inspection Room-Police Lane, Mangaluru- Dr Deepak Bolar; Assistant Administrative officer DPO/COP- Radhakrishna Poojary; among others.
All the above dignitaries paid a tribute to the Police Memorial Monument by placing a flower wreath, followed by lowering the police flag, which was done by Narayan K of Mangaluru RSI, and two minutes of mourning was observed as a mark of respect to the 264 martyrs who had laid down their lives while on during during the year 2019-20. Mrs Shobha Chandrahas, the wife of ASI Chandrahas of Mangaluru South Police station, who recently died in an accident, also paid floral tribute to the monument on behalf of her husband.
Addressing the gathering IGP Devajyothi Ray said “The day marks the ambush by Chinese forces of a police team patrolling in Ladakh in 1959. Though armed only with rifles, ten policemen were killed and nine captured by the Chinese troops; since then, the day marks the sacrifices of the men in khaki. And today also marks the sacrifice of 264 policemen who died while on duty, protecting the citizens of India. Since 1959, the police dept has been observing Police Commemoration Day paying rich tributes to the brave comrades who sacrificed their lives protecting others. We also need to appreciate the role played by the police amidst the pandemic in risking their lives. You should know that police are the First respondent in every crisis that takes place. Good news is that we didn’t have any fatalities in the DK Police force in 2019-20, even though sadly, there were 264 throughout. My humble request to policemen not to be depressed due to the hectic job, since due to the pressure of duty many policemen were committing suicide. Police personnel should be physically and mentally fit. Lack of mental fitness is driving some policemen to suicide. Suicide is not the only solution to all the problems. Do not to take extreme steps like suicide. My compliments to you all for your hard work, dedication and commitment in your work, especially during the present pandemic”.
Superintendent of Police Laxmi Prasad Readout the names of 264 policemen who lost their lives over the past year, and Bantwal Traffic Police Viveka compered the programme, assisted by Mangaluru City Police Inspector Guruduth Kamath. The 7th KSRP Battalion Band played a few soothing music, led by Band leaders -Prakash and Ganesh, and Band Stick Major was Narayan Gowda, all of them from District Armed Reserve Police. In conclusion, let us all salute our police forces, their families, and remember with pride those brave police personnel martyred in the line of duty today on Police Commemoration Day. These police personnel perform their duties with the utmost diligence. Their courage always motivates us. Long Live the Policemen!
Let me end this column with the original “ABIDE WITH ME” hymn lyrics and tune, which was played today at the Police Commemoration day by the 7th KSRP Battalion Band as a perfect respect to the Policemen who lost their lives-
ABIDE WITH ME….
Abide with me, fast falls the eventide
The darkness deepens Lord, with me abide
When other helpers fail and comforts flee
Help of the helpless, oh, abide with me
Swift to its close ebbs out life’s little day
Earth’s joys grow dim, its glories pass away
Change and decay in all around I see
O Thou who changest not, abide with me
I fear no foe, with Thee at hand to bless
Ills have no weight, and tears no bitterness
Where is death’s sting?
Where, grave, thy victory?
I triumph still, if Thou abide with me…
