Police Commemoration Day being observed today

The Police Commemoration Day is being observed across the country today. Home Minister Rajnath Singh laid wreath and paid homage to the police martyrs at Police Memorial Ground in New Delhi. 

The day commemorates the sacrifices of ten policemen while defending the borders with China in 1959, besides 34,408 other police personnel, who have sacrificed their lives since independence to safeguard the unity and integrity of the nation. Indian Police personnel were responsible for manning the 2,500 mile long border of India with Tibet until the autumn of 1959.

On 21st October 1959, Chinese Army personnel opened fire and threw grenades



at the police party of 20 personnel. Ten of them attained martyrdom, seven were taken prisoners by the Chinese and the remaining managed to escape. 

During the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960, it was decided that 21st October will be observed as Commemoration Day in all Police Lines throughout India to mark the memory of these gallant personnel and all other Police personnel who have laid down their lives on duty. 

During the last one year, from September 2016 to August this year, 383 Police personnel have laid down their lives.