Pics: Spoorthi Ullal
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangaluru (MD)
Mangaluru, Oct 21: Under the joint aegis of the city police commissionerate and the Dakshina Kannada district police, the Police Martyrs’ Day was observed at the district Armed Reserve Police office grounds here on Wednesday October 21.
A floral tribute was paid to nearly 434 police personnel who lost their lives over the past year in different parts of the country. The police flag was lowered and a silent prayer was offered.
Inspector general of police (western range) Amrit Paul said, "At the outset, I must remember PSI Jagadish from Doddaballapur, who recently lost his life to the knife of a criminal. Such is our life. That shows the immense risk the police personnel take. If we have to counter attack that kind of risks, we need better training, we have to be physically fit and medically fit. Now the government provides Rs 1,000 for every police officer and constables for medical checkup annually.
"When a police officer died, the family used to get only Rs 5 lac as compensation. We sent a proposal to the government to increase the compensation to Rs 20 lac to 25 lac. So now, if any unnatural death occurs in the department, the family of the deceased cop will get upto Rs 25 lac," he added.
"The government and the senior police officers are doing a great job. But, it is also our duty to pay attention to our health. We have only one life, so please take care of it. No one knows the future. Exercise regularly. If a situation comes where you have to take out your revolver and fire, you cannot do it if you do not have adequate training," he told the police personnel.
Welcoming the guests, superintendent of police (SP) Dr Sharanappa S D said, "The day marks the ambush by Chinese forces of a police team patrolling in Ladakh in 1959. Armed only with rifles, ten policemen were killed and nine captured by the Chinese troops; since then, the day is observed to remember the sacrifices of the men in khaki.
"Our message to the society is that it is our nature to be kind, gentle and loving. But, remember, when it comes to protecting our friends, society and the country, we are the most powerful and relentless creatures," he said.
Addressing the gathering, deputy commissioner A B Ibrahim said, "In a developing country like India, though we have earned our freedom 68 years back, the administrative system is still getting into a proper shape. Every officer in every system of administration tries to do his/her work in a good way. Especially, the police department is trying to look after the internal system of the country. Police have more responsibility to safeguard the society and the country than anyone else. We must remember the police personnel who have sacrificed their lives for us."
Police Commissioner S Murugan, former MLA N Yogish Bhat, city crime branch (CCB) police inspector Valentine D'Souza, family members of the police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the past and others were present.