Nagaland observes Police Commemoration Day

Our CorrespondentKohima | October 21Nagaland today joined the nation in observing Police Commemoration Day with a ceremonial parade at Nagaland Police Headquarters (PHQ), Kohima, paying tribute to police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.Additional Director General of Police (Adm) Renchamo P. Kikon and several other police officers and personnel laid wreaths at the cenotaph and paid tribute to the 154 police personnel across the country who sacrificed their lives for the security and safety of the nation during the period.During the observance, the Roll of Honour of the 154 Indian police personnel who attained martyrdom between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026, was read out.Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 every year to mark the martyrdom of policemen killed in Ladakh in 1959 and to pay tribute to other police personnel who died in the line of duty during the year.Kikon said the occasion was one of profound solemnity and pride, dedicated to remembering the brave men and women of the police force who placed the safety of society and the integrity of the nation above their own lives.Tracing the history of Police Commemoration Day, Kikon recalled the events of October 1959, when a patrol party of Indian police personnel was ambushed by heavily armed Chinese troops in Ladakh amid heightened border tensions between India and China.Ten police personnel attained martyrdom in the encounter, while seven others were injured and taken prisoner. Their bravery and sacrifice became the foundation of the annual observance of Police Commemoration Day across the country.Kikon paid homage to the fallen personnel and acknowledged their unparalleled valour and commitment to the nation. Expressing solidarity with the families of the martyrs, the ADGP said the Nagaland Police fraternity stood firmly with them and would remain indebted to the sacrifices made by their loved ones.He assured the families that their sacrifices would never be forgotten and that they would continue to receive the support and solidarity of the police fraternity.He further highlighted that Police Commemoration Day observances would continue until October 31, 2026, culminating in Rashtriya Ekta Divas, or National Unity Day, which commemorates the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel and reinforces the spirit of national unity and integrity.In this connection, Kikon highlighted Nagaland Police's participation in the National Motorcycle Expedition 2026. On October 7, a nine-member contingent of Nagaland Police was flagged off to undertake a 2,845-kilometre expedition across seven states to spread the message of unity, diversity and respect for the sacrifices of police personnel. He informed that the team would join other contingents in Gujarat on October 31 to participate in the National Unity Day celebrations.Emphasising the challenges faced by police personnel in the discharge of their duties, Kikon said the force remained steadfast in fulfilling its mandate, irrespective of the circumstances or location.He urged serving police personnel to draw inspiration from the cenotaph and the legacy of their fallen colleagues, adding that the truest tribute to the martyrs would be to uphold the ideals for which they sacrificed their lives.He also called upon police personnel to remain committed to crime prevention, the maintenance of public peace and order, and service to the people with unwavering integrity and compassion. He also stressed that the police uniform must continue to represent public trust, safety and sacrifice.