DIMAPUR, Oct 21 � Nagaland joined the rest of the country in paying homage and rich tribute to the sacrifices made by 662 police personnel, including one from the State, during the last one year by observing the 52nd Police Commemoration Day at Police New Reserve, Phesama in Kohima district today.
UBC Thiubuibo Zeliang, the police personnel from the State was killed in a scuffle with an inebriated machete-wielding person when the Special Operation Team was returning after conducting a search in a house at Thilixu village near Dimapur on June 13 night.
On behalf of the government, Nagaland Home Minister Yanthungo Patton and Additional Chief Secretary and Commissioner CJ Ponraj laid the wreath at the memorial cenotaph of the brave police martyrs on the occasion.
Acting Director General of Police Lungriading Zeliang led the police personnel in paying tribute, which was also joined by SIB and SSB personnel and members of late Zeliang's family.
In his address, the acting DGP called upon all policemen to rededicate themselves to the service of the people. Police personnel should sincerely work to protect the people, which would be the true tribute to the brave martyrs' who have laid down their lives on the line of duty, he said while addressing the police officials on the occasion of the Police Commemoration Day Parade.
He said October 21 is observed as Police Commemoration Day across the country as a mark of respect to the brave police martyrs who have laid down their lives from October 1 to September 31 every year. Altogether 662 police personnel, including a Nagaland Police personnel, were killed during the period of 1-9-2013 to 31-8-2014, he informed.
He recalled that the history of the day traces back to October 21, 1959 when a patrol party of CRPF, led by SI Karan Singh and 10 jawans guarding the national frontiers, was ambushed and killed by Chinese forces at Hot Spings, Ladakh. The bravery and resultant sacrifices of jawans fighting at 16,000 feet altitude in extremely cold condition and against all odds was an epitome of the rarest of the rare courage, he said.
Acknowledging the supreme sacrifices made by 576 police personnel during the year, Zeliang said commemorating the day reminds one of the dangers and responsibility involved in discharging the duties as police personnel.
AIGP (Ops) Yanithung Ezung read out the roll of honour.
