Police Commemoration Day (Police Martyrs Day) is annually observed across India on October 21 to remember the sacrifices of police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty and pay tribute to them.
Background:
i. In 1960, at the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories, the National Police Commemoration Day was declared to be observed on October 21 every year.
ii. The day is observed to remember the incident which took place on 21st October 1959, when 10 policemen lost their lives fighting against China army at Hot Springs in Aksai Chin, close to Ladakh.
History of Commemoration Day:
i. In 1959, the patrol party of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) which was led by SI Karan Singh was ambushed by the Chinese forces at Hot Springs Ladakh and 20 Indian soldiers were attacked.
ii. Out of 20, 10 were killed and 7 were injured and imprisoned by China. The martyred policemen were handed over to India a month later and their cremation was held with full police honours at the Hot springs in Ladakh.
Police Commemoration Day Parade 2022:
Police Commemoration Day Parade has been held at the National Police Memorial in Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, Delhi every year since 2012.
National Police Memorial:
i. A National Police Memorial stands as a testimony of the sacrifices made by countless policemen in the performance of their duty.
ii. “The Wall of Valour” – 30 feet tall granite sculpture stands at the police memorial with the names of over 35000 martyrs who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty and reminds them of their bravery and glory.
Honour on Martyr’s Day:
- The arms are reversed (Shok Shastra) and two minutes of silence is observed in honour of the departed souls.
- The names of police martyrs of states, police and paramilitary forces are read out, to acknowledge with pride the supreme sacrifices made by them.
- Three volleys of shots are fired as a mark of respect for the martyrs.
About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF)
Director General- Dr Sujoy Lal Thaosen, Indian Police Service (IPS)
Establishment- 1939
Headquarters- New Delhi, Delhi
