Police Commemoration Day is annually observed across India on October 21 to honor police personnel in India who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
- The day commemorates the martyrdom of 10 policemen who were killed by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959.
Exam Hints:
- What? Police Commemoration Day 2025
- When? October 21
- Purpose: To honor police personnel in India who lost their lives in the line of duty
- Background: The martyrdom of 10 policemen, killed by Chinese troops in 1959
- First Observance: October 21, 1960
- National Police Memorial (NPM):Dedicated in 2018 by PM Narendra Modi.
Background:
Resolution: In January 1960, a resolution was passed at the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories (UTs), recognizing October 21st of every year as the Police Commemoration Day.
First Observance:The Police Commemoration Day was first observed on October 21, 1960.
History:
CRPF Patrol: On October 20, 1959, the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) patrolled the India-Tibet border with three units of the 3rd battalion, primarily monitoring the India-China border in Ladakh.
- Only two units returned and the third, which included two Police Constables and a Porter, went missing.
Deployment: In response, a search team of 20 personnel from the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) and the CRPF, led by Deputy Superintendent of Police Karam Singh, was deployed.
- Out of 20, 10 police personnel were killed, and seven were captured by Chinese forces. The bodies of the ten martyrs were returned by China on November 13, 1959.
National Police Memorial:
Dedication:During the 2018 Police Commemoration Day, Prime Minister (PM) Narendra Modi dedicated the National Police Memorial (NPM) at Chanakyapuri in New Delhi, Delhi, to the nation.
Features: The memorial comprises a Central Sculpture, a 30-foot-tall granite monolith cenotaph, the “Wall of Valour” and a museum, that details the history of policing in India.
2025 Events:
Ceremony: Union Minister Rajnath Singh, Ministry of Defence (MoD) presided over the central ceremony at the NPM in New Delhi. The event included a wreath-laying ceremony to honor the police and paramilitary personnel who have fallen into the line of duty.
Parade: A joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) and Delhi Police was held.
About Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF):
Director General (DG) – Gyanendra Pratap Singh
Headquarters – New Delhi, Delhi
Established – 1939
