On Saturday, October 21, which is celebrated as ‘Police Commemoration Day’, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, paid homage to police martyrs at the National Police Memorial, New Delhi. Many dignitaries including the Union Minister of State for Home Affairs, Ajay Kumar Mishra, and the Union Home Secretary, Ajay Kumar Bhalla, were also present on the occasion.
In his address, Shah paid his tributes to 36, 250 policemen, who sacrificed their lives for the country’s internal security, and the security of its borders since independence. He told the families of the martyred policemen that today, India is progressing in every field in the world and its foundation is the sacrifice of the martyrs of their families and this country will never forget their sacrifice.
He added that the internal security or border security of any country is not possible without a vigilant police system. Of all the personnel serving the country, policemen have the toughest duty, be it day or night, winter or summer, on a festival or a regular day, policemen do not get a chance to celebrate festivals with their families.
The union home minister further expressed that all the police forces spend the golden years of their lives away from their families on the country’s long land border and protect the country through their bravery and sacrifices, and said that whether it is to combat terrorists, stop crime, maintain law and order while facing a crowd, protect common citizens during disasters and accidents, or to be on the front line during difficult times like the corona period, protecting the citizens, our policemen have proved themselves on every occasion. In the last 1 year, from September 1, 2022 to August 31, 2023, 188 policemen have made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty to ensure security and maintain law and order of the country.
Amit Shah then mentioned that Prime Minister Narendra Modi has given a call for Amrit Kaal, highlighting that starting with the end of 75 years of independence till the centenary of independence, these 25 years are for taking the country to the top position in every field. For this purpose, 130 crore people of the country have taken a pledge collectively and individually, and with these resolutions, no one will be able to stop us from reaching the top in every field in the world.
He said that in the last decade, terrorism, militant attacks, naxalism, and ethnic violence have reduced by 65 per cent from their peak levels, due to the efforts of our brave policemen.
‘In the last few years, working through NDRF, the soldiers of different police forces have earned a respectable name and achieved success not only in the country but also across the world in the field of disaster management. As we are entering the Amrit Kaal of India’s Independence, the Government of India, under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, is bringing three new laws, which will completely change our criminal justice system.’, said Amit Shah.
He further added, ‘These three laws will replace the 150-year-old British era laws, and will not only reflect Indianness, but will also protect the rights of every citizen, in accordance with the spirit of the Constitution of India. PM Modi has laid emphasis on ending the pendency of cases in courts, and under his leadership, we will be successful in achieving the goal of bringing transparency and speed in the criminal justice system through the Police Technology Mission, 3 new laws and ICJS.’
The Home Minister highlighted how, continuing with the policy of ‘zero tolerance’ against terrorism, the Modi government has enacted strict laws and has also made efforts to become the best counter-terrorism force in the world by setting up the police technology mission for the modernization of the police.
He said that for the welfare of the police personnel, the government led by PM Modi has also made timely changes in Ayushman-CAPF, the Housing Scheme, the CAPF e-Awas Web Portal, the Prime Minister Scholarship Scheme, Central Ex-gratia, Disability Ex-gratia, Air Courier Services, and the Central Police Welfare Store.
Amit Shah said that the police memorial is not merely symbolic but is a recognition of the sacrifice and dedication of our police personnel towards nation building, and that the government is fully committed towards the welfare of police personnel and their family members.
