CP Dimapur Rothihu Tetseo IPS and Police officers with the wife and daughter of Unit Martyr Lt. Thiubuibo Zeliang at CP Dimapur office on October 21. (DIPR Photo)
Our Correspondent
Kohima | October 21
Along with the rest of the nation, Nagaland Police today observed Police Commemoration Day by holding a ceremonial parade at New Police Reserve, Phesama near Kohima and paid tribute to police personnel who laid their lives on duty during the year.
Nagaland’s Director General of Police (DGP) T John Longkumer and several police officers laid wreath at the cenotaph and paid respect to 265 policemen all over India have laid down their lives this year while maintaining law and order, preventing anti-socials and countering terrorists.
Nagaland DGP John Longkumer during the observance of Police Commemoration Day parade at New Police Reserve Phesama on October 21. (Morung Photo)
“We gather here today to pay homage to supreme sacrifices of policemen all over India. A sacrifice aimed at securing a better tomorrow for all others,” said Longkumer while speaking on the occasion.
Stating that police plays a crucial role in the development of a nation, he said “They do this by maintaining law and order, by foiling the nefarious ploys of insurgents and anti-socials and as witnessed during the pandemic by helping the needy and ensuring smooth flow of essential services to the people.”
The Government of India in recognition of the contribution of the force has declared the period 21 October to 31 October to be celebrated as Police Flag Day, of which this year is the first edition, Longkumer said.
Police Commemoration Day observed at 173 Battalion CRPF, Headquater at Airfield, Dimapur on October 21. (Photo Caption: 173 Battalion CRPF)
About October 21, 1959
On this day, i.e 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 ten of them were killed and 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: 00AM 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.
In 1960, the Heads of Police of all States of India decided in a Conference to observe 21st October as a Police Commemoration Day throughout India.
“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.
Records stated that since 1947, over 35,000 policemen have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
“Nagaland Police officers and men have also made such supreme sacrifices. We have also lost many precious lives 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,” Longkumer said.
This year, 265 Policemen all over India have laid down their lives while maintaining law and order, preventing anti-socials and countering terrorists.
“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,” Longkumer said.
Dimapur: Police Commissionerate Dimapur observed the 59th Police Commemoration Day on October 21 at Commissioner Police office, honouring the victory of policemen who has sacrificed their lives enabling us to live peacefully.
Speaking on the occasion, Commissioner Police Dimapur, Rothihu Tetseo IPS, informed that around 35,600 policemen and women has laid down their lives while safeguarding the Nation and security of the citizens from 1947 till date.
“Among them one of our brave Lt UBC Thiubuibo Zeliang who was in SOT laid down his life on 14th July 2014 during the operation. Today we honour him and acknowledge his supreme sacrifice,” CP Dimapur said.
On behalf of the personnel of Police Commissionerate Dimapur, Rothihu handed over cash incentive to the wife of Unit Martyr, Lt Thiubuibo Zeliang who was present on the occasion with her daughter.
Commemorating the day, CP Dimapur received the general salute, read out the Roll of honour, thereafter the Nishan commander placed the Roll of honour on the Cenotaph. A 2 minutes silence, Samarak Ko Salami was observed, reveille played and salute was given by all present. This was followed by laying of wreaths by family of Unit Martyr, followed by CP Dimapur and other officers/Police stations.
Assistant Pastor, PBC Dimapur read scripture passages and invoked God's blessings, stated a DIPR report.
173 Battalion CRPF: Police Commemoration Day was observed at 173 Battalion CRPF, Headquater at Airfield, Dimapur on October 21.
The 173 Battalion CRPF in a press release stated that Vishnu Gautam, Commandant 173 Bn CRPF in his brief speech recalled the valour of the courageous police personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.
He recalled the supreme sacrifices made by “CRPF men while defending the borders with China on October 21, 1959 against the Chinese Army aggression at Hot springs in Ladakh where a small CRPF patrol party was ambushed and heavily outnumbered by the Chinese army. In the ensuring battle 10 CRPF men made supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.”
In order to commemorate the exceptional act of valour by the men of CRPF, October 21 is observed as Police Commemoration Day across the country, he stated.
The Commandant encouraged every force personnel to inculcate and follow their acts of bravery so that they can inspire future generations. The programme was attended by all ranks and files of the unit.
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