Three officials of the Fire and Rescue Services, who displayed exemplary courage while fighting the fire at the heritage building, “Khalas Mahal” here about 10 days ago, were chosen for this year’s Anna Medal for Gallantry.
While one of them – K. Anbalagan, Leading Fireman of the Teynampet Fire Staton – died in action, the remaining two – N. Priya, Divisional Fire Officer of the Chennai Central Division and R. Murugan, Station Fire Officer of the Ashok Nagar Fire Station – were injured.
At the 63rd Republic Day celebration on the Marina on Thursday, Chief Minister Jayalalithaa handed over the medal to Sharmila, daughter of Mr Anbalagan; Ravichandran, Ms Priya’s husband, and Kripavathi, Mr Murugan’s wife.
From this year, the government enhanced the prize amount for the medal from Rs 25,000 to Rs. 1 lakh.
The Chief Minister presented the medal to two more recipients, S. Harish Kumar and S. Ravi, both from Tiruppur.
A mechanic, Mr Harish Kumar, on seeing two masked men robbing about Rs. 13.7 lakh from Canara Bank, Appachi Nagar in February last year, chased the robbers; caught them with the help of the public and handed them over to the police. He continued his chase even though one one of the robbers cut his left hand shoulder with knife.
Mr Ravi, an iron master in a firm, helped Mr Harish Kumar in nabbing the robbers by hitting his motor cycle against the robbers.
Apart from the prize amount, a medal and a certificate were given to all receipients.
Ms Jayalalithaa also gave away the Kottai Ameer Communal Harmony award to J Rajamohamad of Pudukottai district in recognition of his services for promoting communal harmony. The award carried a cash prize of Rs. 25,000, a medal and a certificate.
On the occasion, four police officials were given the Gandhi Adigal Police medal for commendable work towards curbing illicit liquor. They were S. Jeyakumar, Additional Deputy Commissioner, Prohibition Enforcement (PE) Wing, Chennai; S.R. Senthilkumar, Additional Superintendent, Crime (in charge), PE Wing, Krishnagiri District; D. Sampath Kumar, Special Sub-Inspector, PE Wing, Thoppur Police Station and P. Chinnamadhan of the PE Wing, Pennagaram Police Station, the last two stations coming under the Dharmapuri District.
