Police Commemoration Day on Oct 21

Hyderabad, Oct 20 (UNI) Andhra Pradesh Chief Minister Y S Rajasekhara Reddy and State Home Minister K Jana Reddy will lay wreaths at the police martyr's memorial at Goshmahal Stadium here in connection with the Police Commemoration Day tomorrow.

Addressing a press conference here today, Director General of Police (DGP) SSP Yadav said the Police Commemoration Day was observed on October 21 every year as a mark of respect to brave policemen who sacrificed their lives while executing their duties.

As in the past, this year also, the day would be observed as a state function.

He said Commemoration Week was observed from October 15 to 21 throughout the State in all districts, units and battalions and a variety of programmes were conducted.

He said 684 police officers, including 40 from Andhra Pradesh, laid down their lives at the altar of the duty this year.

Mr Yadav said elocution and essay competitions were held in all districts yesterday on the topic 'As a citizen, how can I help in fighting terrorism' and prizes were given to the winners.

Essay competition for policemen on 'How to enlist community involvement in tackling terrorism' was conducted and blood donation camps organised in all districts, units and battalions in connection with the commemoration week.

He said the day can be traced to October 21, 1959, when a CRPF patrol party, led by SI Karam Singh, was ambushed by the Chinese forces at Hot Springs, Ladakh, leading to deaths of ten jawans.

Their martyrdom on October 21 is remembered throughout the country as the Police Commemoration Day every year, the DGP added .

UNI BR VA GM PD HT1535