Remembering the martyrs

The Puducherry police on Tuesday observed the Police Commemoration Day. It is being observed annually on October 21.

Led by Chief Minister N. Rangasamy, who also holds the Home portfolio, policemen, cutting across ranks, paid homage at the Police Martyrs’ Memorial in Gorimedu.

Inspector-General of Police Praveer Ranjan said the day was observed to commemorate the sacrifices made by 10 policemen when Chinese troops attacked them at Ladakh in Jammu and Kashmir on October 21, 1959.

From then on, all States and Union Territories have been observing this day as a tribute to those officers and soldiers who made the ultimate sacrifice for their motherland.

Mr. Ranjan said a total of 662 police personnel of various ranks died while on duty from September 1, 2013 to August 31, 2014 in various States and Union Territories. The duty of police personnel had become more stressful and hazardous owing to threats from anti-national and anti-social elements.

Silence was observed for a couple of minutes in memory of the policemen who laid down their lives while stopping terrorists and anti-national forces.

Deputy Inspector-General of Police Jegadeesan Kannan and Senior Superintendent of Police (Law and Order), OmVir Singh Bishnoi were present.