Port Blair, Oct. 21: On 21st October, the Police Flag Day was observed by A&N Police to commemorate the supreme sacrifice made by valiant police personnel in the service of nation. From this year, Government of India has decided to observe ‘Commemoration Day’ as a Police Flag Day, followed by commemorative events upto 31st October (National Unity Day). On this solemn occasion, A&N Police force led by Sh. Dependra Pathak, DGP, A&N Islands along with rank & file paid homage to the brave souls who laid their lives at the altar of duty by placing wreath at Saheed Smarak, Parade ground, Police Line.
On the fateful day of 21st October 1959, 10 valiant policemen laid down their lives while defending the integrity of our motherland at Hot Springs in Ladakh in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops. Since then, the Police forces all over India observe 21st October as ‘Commemoration Day’ each year in the memory of those Policemen martyred at Hot springs and also all other Policemen killed in the line of duty.
Names of 264 Police personnel who got killed while on duty from September, 2019 to August 2020 were read out by the DGP, A&N Islands. Two minutes silence was observed as mark of respect in the honour of martyrs. In the list of Police martyrs, names of two Policemen of A&N Police namely HC Shadrack Nathan and PC K. Mohan Rao were also figured. Since, August 1947 till 31st August 2020, more than 35,400 Policemen have lost their lives while protecting its citizen from scourge of terrorism, Left Wing Extremism (LWE), insurgency, communal strife, natural calamities etc.
In present context, Police personnel being one of the foremost ‘Corona warriors’ are also on the forefront in the battle against the invisible enemy of COVID-19 virus. Recently, while discharging their duties, HC Shri. Mohan Singh and Firemen HC Parvadesham of A&N Police have lost their lives due to COVID-19.
During commemorative events from 21st to 31st October 2020, several programmes such as Essay/Drawing/Painting competition, Police Band Performance, Cleanliness Drive, Skit/Jingles, Mass tree plantation, Awareness programme on safety &security etc. would be organized to highlight the contribution of Policemen towards maintaining unity and integrity of Nation. In addition, local villages of martyrs will be visited and their deeds would be highlighted in locality and educational institutions.
Let us come together to pay tribute to our brave police personnel, who work tirelessly day in, day out for the safety of islands and its residents.
A & N Police appeals general public to follow and encourage others to follow the COVID appropriate behavior by wearing mask properly, hand hygiene and maintaining social distancing.