PM Modi and Leaders Honor Police Bravery and Sacrifice on Commemoration Day 2023

Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year.

New Delhi:

Vice President C P Radhakrishnan, Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union ministers Rajnath Singh and Amit Shah on Tuesday extended greetings on Police Commemoration Day, emphasizing how police personnel embody bravery, compassion, and unwavering dedication to duty.

The vice president shared on X that he solemnly honors the exemplary courage and supreme sacrifice of police personnel. "Their unwavering commitment to safeguard the nation and ensure the security and well-being of our people commands our deepest respect," he expressed.

Radhakrishnan highlighted that through their steadfast dedication and readiness to serve during crises and humanitarian needs, police personnel demonstrate exceptional bravery, compassion, and an unyielding sense of duty.

Prime Minister Modi commended police personnel for their dedication that keeps the nation and its citizens safe. "On Police Commemoration Day, we salute the courage of our police personnel and recall the supreme sacrifice by them in the line of duty. Their steadfast dedication keeps our nation and people safe," PM Modi stated on X.

"Their bravery and commitment in times of crisis and in moments of need are appreciable," the prime minister added.

Police Commemoration Day, observed annually on October 21, serves as Martyrs' Day across all police forces nationwide. This observance commemorates 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who lost their lives on this date in 1959 during an ambush by Chinese troops in Ladakh's Hot Spring area.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah acknowledged how as first responders, police forces have achieved distinction by thwarting crimes and internal security threats while protecting citizens' rights.

"Warm greetings to the police personnel on Police Commemoration Day," Shah posted on X.

The home minister recognized that as first responders, police forces have written glorious chapters by preventing crimes and countering threats to internal security, while safeguarding citizens' rights with exemplary courage and commitment.

"My solemn homage to the martyrs who laid down their lives serving the nation," he stated.

In a separate message, the home minister also paid tribute to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the "brave warriors" of the Indian National Army (INA).

"On the foundation day of the Indian National Army, salutations to Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose and the brave warriors of the INA.

"Through the INA, Netaji Subhas Chandra Bose instilled a strong belief in the hearts of the revolutionaries that the countrymen could achieve freedom through their own army and military campaigns," he shared in another post on X.

Shah emphasized that the INA soldiers who, under Netaji's leadership, hoisted the tricolor in the Andaman and Nicobar Islands in 1943 and declared India's independence, will remain an eternal inspiration for the nation-first ethos.

Defence Minister Rajnath Singh addressed current challenges, noting that while borders face instability, new forms of crimes, terrorism, and ideological conflicts are emerging within society.

After laying a wreath at the National Police Memorial on Police Commemoration Day, Singh observed that although military and police operate on different platforms, their mission remains the same – protecting the nation.

To achieve a developed India (Viksit Bharat) by 2047, the minister emphasized that balancing external and internal security is more crucial than ever.

A joint parade featuring Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) and Delhi Police was conducted as part of the commemoration.

Regarding current challenges, the defence minister pointed out that alongside border instability, new types of crime, terrorism, and ideological conflicts are appearing within society.

Crime has evolved to become more organized, invisible, and complex, with the objective of creating societal chaos, undermining trust, and challenging national stability, he explained.

Singh praised the police for fulfilling both their official responsibility to prevent crime and their moral duty to maintain societal trust.

"If people are sleeping peacefully today, it is due to their confidence in our vigilant armed forces and alert police. This confidence is the foundation of our country's stability," he told the assembled police personnel.

Addressing the Naxal issue, which has been a significant internal security challenge for years, Singh affirmed that the coordinated efforts of police, CRPF, BSF, and local administrations ensured the problem did not worsen, bringing relief to residents in left-wing extremism-affected areas.

Expressing confidence that the Naxal problem will end by March next year, he noted that due to security forces' tireless efforts, this issue is nearly resolved.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah has declared that the Naxal menace will be eliminated by March 2026.

"Several top Naxalites have been eliminated this year. Those who previously took up arms against the state are now surrendering and joining the mainstream of development. The number of districts affected by left-wing extremism has decreased dramatically.

"Areas that were once Naxalite hubs are now becoming educational hubs.

"Areas that were once known as the red corridor have now transformed into growth corridors. Our police and security forces have contributed significantly to this success," he stated.

Singh reaffirmed the PM Modi-led government's dedication to ensuring national security.

"For a long time, we, as a nation, didn't fully recognize the contributions of the police. However, under PM Modi's leadership, the government established the National Police Memorial in 2018 to honor the memories of our police forces," he said.

"Additionally, police have been equipped with state-of-the-art weapons and improved facilities. They now utilize modern equipment including surveillance systems, drones, forensic labs, and digital policing," he concluded.