Mysuru: “Respect the Police force and honour their sacrifices, as they stand ready 24/7 to uphold law and order,” urged Principal District and Sessions Court Judge Ravindra Hegde.

Speaking at the Police Martyrs’ Day ceremony this morning, he stressed the vital role of the Police in maintaining societal peace. “Imagine a situation of complete lawlessness, chaos and a society overrun by criminal activities. The Police are our shield against such disorder,” he said.

The event, held at the Police Martyrs Park near the SP’s Office in Nazarbad, was organised by the Office of the DIGP (Southern Range), along with District and City Police, the Karnataka State Reserve Police (KSRP) and the Karnataka Armed Reserve Police (KARP). It was a solemn occasion to remember and pay tributes to Police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty.

Judge Ravindra Hegde, the chief guest, laid a wreath at the Memorial and addressed an assembly of serving and retired Police officers, who had gathered with their families to honour their fallen colleagues.

“Policemen sacrifice their lives and normal comforts to ensure our safety. It is essential not only to respect their service but also to support them and their families with necessary facilities so they don’t have to worry about their own survival,”  he emphasised.

Earlier, the chief Guest received the Guard of Honour accorded by KSRP Fifth Battalion Assistant Commandant Mahadevaswamy.

Later, Volley Firing was done followed by the observation of two-minute silence. SP N. Vishnuvardhana read out the names of 216 Police personnel who have died while on duty this year (from Sept. 1, 2023 to  Aug. 31, 2024).

Deputy Commissioner G. Lakshmikanth Reddy, DIGP Dr. M.B. Boralingaiah, City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Zilla Panchayat CEO K.M. Gayathri and others were present.

About Police Martyrs’ Day

Oct. 21 is observed as Police Martyrs’ Day (or Police Commemoration Day) to honour the Policemen who lost their lives in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959.

On October 21, 1959, a group of Indian Policemen on a reconnaissance mission at Hot Springs in Aksai Chin was ambushed by Chinese forces. Ten officers were fired upon without provocation, resulting in the deaths of several Policemen. Their bodies were returned 23 days later. In January 1960, the Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police declared Oct. 21 as Police Commemoration Day.