Sacrifices of police personnel remembered on Martyrs’ Day
Pics by Prasanna Kodavoor, Team Mangalorean
Udupi: The sacrifices of policemen in the line of duty were marked with solemnity at the Police Commemoration Day held here at Chandu Maidan on Friday, October 21.
A floral tribute was paid by the district police officials for 473 policemen who lost their lives in the past year, the police flag was lowered as a silent prayer was held.
Deputy Commissioner R Venkatesh was the chief guest of the function. Addressing the gathering he said that 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.
Expressing sadness, DC Venkatesh said that 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. He urged to policemen not to take extreme steps like suicide.
Superintendent of Police K T Balakrishna Readout the names of 473 policemen who lost their lives over the past year.