Port Blair, Oct. 18: In order to commemorate the police personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty, Andaman & Nicobar Police will be observing Police Flag Day on 21st October, followed by commemorative events from 21st to 31st October, 2020. The Police Flag Day is celebrated across the nation in memory of all the police personnel who have lost their lives while discharging their duties. As per NCRB (National Crime Records Bureau) in the year 2019 alone, 424 police personnel lost their lives, whereas nearly 2,000 personnel were grievously injured. The tradition of Police Flag Day goes back to 1959 when on 21st October a patrolling party of CRPF was ambushed by Chinese soldiers in Hot Springs area of Ladakh, since then every year 21st October is observed as the Police Commemoration Day or Police Flag Day.

To mark the solemn occasion, a parade will be held in the morning on 21st October, 2020 at the Parade Ground, Police Lines followed by placing of wreaths at the Martyrs’ column to honour the valiant policemen and women who laid down their lives on the call of duty. During these ten days long period, A&N Police is organizing various commemorative events like painting/ drawing competitions, Essay competitions, Tree plantations, Police Band Shows, Awareness programme on Fire safety and security and cleanliness drives with the motive to bring awareness to the general public about the services rendered by police personnel and their sacrifice in ensuring maintenance of public peace and tranquillity, law & order, emergency services, search, rescue & relief work natural disasters, control on crime and general safety and security of the citizens. Our Police forces work round the clock tirelessly to ensure peace in the society and remain poised to meet all challenges and threats.

This is the occasion to recognise and pay tributes to our brave police personnel for their supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. All citizens are requested to observe and participate in Police Flag Day as a means to pay tribute to those Police personnel who keep working silently day and night for the safety of the Islands and its residents.