The Hindu : Andhra Pradesh / Hyderabad News : Mumbai IPS officers’ killing casts pall of gloom on NPA

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Andhra Pradesh

Andhra Pradesh - Hyderabad

Mumbai IPS officers’ killing casts pall of gloom on NPA

Staff Reporter

Diamond Jubilee function of the Academy was a low key affair

HYDERABAD: The death of Hemant Karkare and Ashok Kamte, two Indian Police Service (IPS) officers, in terrorist attacks in Mumbai came as a blow to the officers and probationers of Sardar Vallbhai Patel National Police Academy (SVPNPA) here.

The Diamond Jubilee year function of the Academy, an otherwise happy moment, was overshadowed by the Mumbai terror attacks. Homage was paid at the function to the two IPS officers who were killed belonging to the 1982 and 1989 batches respectively.

While Mr. Karkare was heading Maharashtra Anti-Terrorist Squad (ATS), which is dealing some crucial cases including that of Malegon blasts, Mr. Kamte was serving as Deputy Commissioner of Police, Mumbai city.

Batchmate remembers

“Notwithstanding these attacks, Indian police will continue its fight against terrorism with the same zeal and enthusiasm,” stated Mr. Rajagopal, deputy Director of ‘Basic Course’ at the NPA. Milind Kanaskar, batchmate of Ashok Kamte recounts nostalgically, “he was an officer with well-built personality and a golden heart. Mr. Kamte is remembered by us for his passion for this profession,” he said. Losing two officers on same day left the campus in sorrow, said another officer.

Stamps released

Meanwhile, two special postage stamps were released commemorate completion of 60 years of the Academy.

Speaking on the occasion, Director of the Academy G. S. Rajagopal said, the organisation which was started as Central Police Training College in Mount Abu, Rajasthan by Sardar Vallabhai Patel in 1948, had grown into a world-class police training institute over the years.

“The Academy has not only set standards in police training but also in leadership and management training. More than 4,200 officers have been trained here so far,” he said. Director of Postal Services - A.P. Circle, M. Venkateswarlu released two stamps of Rs.20 and Rs. 5 denominations. About 8 lakh stamps were printed and all of them are likely to be collected by philatelists. Some of them will go abroad due to the unique position of NPA, said Mr. Venkateswarlu. While the stamp of Rs. 20 featured Vallabhai Patel in bronze, the other depicted the officer cadets under training. Joint Director of NPA Santosh Macherla was also present over the occasion.

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