National Police Commemoration Day 2021 is observed every year to remember those courageous policemen who sacrificed their lives while discharging their duties. This is observed to pay tribute to those brave hearts who put people's life and the country before theirs.
We have seen how bravely Indian police have fought the deadly Covid virus. In the war against the pandemic, apart from healthcare workers, policemen were the frontline soldiers guarding the country.
Also Read: Grandparents’ Day 2021: Date, Images, Quotes and messages
Date and history
National Police Commemoration Day or Police Martyrs Day is marked every year on October 21 as a remembrance of the sacrifices of ten policemen who lost their lives in an ambush by the Chinese troops in 1959 in Ladakh's Hot Spring area.
The CRPF in the chilling winter at the height of 10,500 feet had to face the attack of the Chinese aggression in Ladakh's Hot Spring on October 21, 1959. A large number of Chinese army ambushed a small CRPF patrol.
The Chinese Army personnel opened fire and threw grenades at the police party of 20 officers.
The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories decided to honor the brave act of CRPF, whose ten men were dead, seven were taken prisoners by the Chinese and the remaining managed to escape. The day of honour is observed as 'Police Commemoration Day on October 21.
The Police Commemoration Day is held at the National level at Police Memorial, Chanakyapuri since 2012.
In the nation's security and service to society, more than 33000 Police personnel have laid down their lives since 1961.
Also Read: Kerala couple braves flood in a cooking vessel to get hitched
Expressing his gratitude to the police personnel and their families, PM Modi last year on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day 2020, tweeted, "Police Commemoration Day is about expressing gratitude to our police personnel and their families all across India. We pay tributes to all the police personnel martyred in the line of duty. Their sacrifice and service would always be remembered," he wrote.
The police force always gives their best without taking a pause, added. "From preserving law and order to solving horrendous crimes, from assistance in disaster management to fighting COVID-19, our police personnel always give their best without hesitation. We are proud of their diligence and readiness to assist citizens."