Nagaland Police observes Commemoration Day
John Longkumer lay wreaths during the observance of Police Commemoration Day on October 21. (Morung Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 21
Joining the rest of the country, Nagaland Police today paid tribute to police personnel who laid their lives on duty during the year.
Observing the Police Commemoration Day by conducting a ceremonial parade at New Police Reserve Phesama near Kohima, Director General of Police (DGP) T. John Longkumer said that police commemoration day is observed on October 21 every year to mark the martyrdom of policemen killed in Ladakh in 1959 and to pay tribute to all other police personnel killed on duty during the year.
“Today is not only a day of remembrance but a day when we renew our pledge to serve our people, to secure and maintain the integrity of our nation,” DGP said.
Longkumer and other police officers laid wreath at the cenotaph and paid respect to the 292 police personnel who had sacrificed their lives for the security and safety of the country.
On 21 October in 1959 a CRPF Mobile Patrolling Party led by DCIO Karam Singh was ambushed in Aksai - Chin area of Ladakh by overwhelming numbers of Chinese troops. Undaunted, the party fought back till 10 (ten) of them were killed and 9 (nine) were captured in this unequal battle. The dead bodies of the deceased were handed over by the Chinese on the 13 of November 1959 and cremated at 8 am on 14 November at the Hot Springs. A Martyrs Memorial was erected there. Every year a police party visits the Hot Springs, which is located in the extremely difficult altitude of 16000 feet to pay tributes at this memorial.
8th NAP deputy CO Limasanen, representing Nagaland Police, has paid tribute at the Martyr's Memorial this year.
“On this day we remember the sacrifice of not only those killed in Ladakh but of all other policemen killed in the line of duty,” said Nagaland DGP.
Longkumer said that the duty of a policeman requires a lot of sacrifice, adding “We sacrifice our family lives, social lives and holidays to ensure that the society is safe.”
“On a daily basis we combat anti-socials, terrorists and disruptive forces that threaten to tear our nation from the inside. But the sacrifice of a human life is the supreme sacrifice,” he added.
Stating that Nagaland Police officers and men have also made such supreme sacrifices, he said “We have also lost many precious lies both in our home state and in states like Chhattisgarh and West Bengal. The courage and sacrifice of these martyrs will always be remembered by the department and also by those they died protecting.”
Stating that this year, 292 Policemen all over India have laid down their lives in the service of the Nation, Longkumer said “We pay our respects to these brave and valiant Police personnel who sacrificed their valuable lives to protect the integrity and security of the country.”
