Judge says police personnel play an indispensable role in public safety

Principal District and Sessions Judge N.V. Vijay on Wednesday said that the police play an indispensable role in ensuring public safety and enabling people to lead a peaceful life.

Speaking at the Police Commemoration Day organised by the Hubballi-Dharwad City Police Commissionerate at the old CAR Grounds on Karwar Road in Hubballi on Wednesday, he highlighted the close relationship between the police and the judiciary.

He said that police personnel work round the clock, managing traffic and maintaining law and order, including during festivals such as Ganesh Chaturthi and Dasara.

The demanding nature of their duties often affects their health, making regular health camps necessary, he said.

He also acknowledged the support extended by families of police personnel and thanked them for their contribution.

Police Commissioner Bhushan Borase, who read out a report, said that October 21 is observed every year to honour police personnel who lay down their lives in the line of duty.

The day commemorates the 10 police personnel killed in a Chinese attack at Hot Springs in Ladakh on October 21, 1959. It also pays tribute to police personnel who sacrifice their lives in the service of the nation and in maintaining internal security.

Mr. Borase said that 154 police personnel across the country, including five in Karnataka, died in the line of duty in the last one year.

Police personnel often work for nearly 14 hours a day and continue to discharge their responsibilities during festivals and other public events. Seven police personnel also lost their lives during the COVID-19 pandemic, he recalled.

A police contingent, led by Reserve Police Inspector Santosh Bhojappagol, paid tributes to police martyrs, followed by a three-round gun salute.

A police band led by D’Souza played the national anthem.

Hubballi-Dharwad Mayor Durgamma Bijawad, District Legal Services Authority Member-Secretary Allappa Badiger, Deputy Commissioners of Police Raveesh C.R. and Shruti N.S., Assistant Commissioner of Police Prashant Siddannagoudar, industrialists V.S.V. Prasad and Satish Meherwade along with police personnel, their family members and members of the public attended the event.