Haryana Chief Minister Manohar Lal on Wednesday announced a ‘Shaurya Award’ in the name of 71 martyrs of State police force who laid down their lives during line of duty while protecting society and maintaining law and order in the State.
Under this award, a prize money of Rs 11,000 in memory of each police martyr would be given to a student for valour deeds every year in the school in those block, where the martyr had studied during his childhood.
The Chief Minister announced the ‘Shaurya Award’ while addressing the family members of Haryana Police martyrs at National Police Memorial in Delhi. He also laid wreath and paid homage to the martyrs at the memorial.
The State Government had organised first ever state level function at the National Police Memorial to honour the families of all 71 policemen who made supreme sacrifice of their lives in various attacks and encounters since formation of Haryana in 1966. A Guard of Honour with 116 police personnel was also organised which was led by ASP Ajit Singh Sekhawat.
On the request of Director General of Police (DGP) BS Sandhu, the Chief Minister also announced that a State level Police Memorial recognising the bravery and courage of martyrs of state police force would be constructed in Haryana. A book titled ‘Martys of Haryana police’ highlighting heroic deeds of the martyrs was also released by the Chief Minister.
Speaking on the occasion, Manohar Lal saluted the supreme sacrifices of police personnel who laid down their lives for internal security in the country.
He said ‘Operation Shriman’ was launched by Haryana Police, to teach its officials to discharge their duty in a firm manner while being polite with the public. This will further strengthen their bond with the masses, he added.
The Chief Minister also urged the police to adopt technology and innovation in their routine working to make the Haryana Police one of the best police force in the country.
Expressing happiness over the initiative of Haryana Police who were first among states to organize function at the National Police Memorial in Delhi, the Chief Minister said that amount of ex-gratia grant being given to family members of police personnel who die in the line of duty has been enhanced from Rs10 lakh to Rs 30 lakh.
Apart from this assistance under government policy, financial aid of Rs 30 lakh is also given under a special agreement of accidental death insurance cover with HDFC bank. So, family of a police martyr gets financial assistance of Rs 60 lakh in total, Manohar Lal said.
He further said that in case of encounter death, a provision of job to one of the dependents of police martyr has also been made by the government.
The Chief Minister also listed various welfare measures taken for the police personnel in Haryana and said that a financial assistance Rs 550 crore was provided through HUDCO for construction of houses for police personnel.
Earlier, Director General of Police (DGP), BS Sandhu briefed about the National Police Memorial.
Listing the facilities given to dependents of police martyrs, he said that free education up to XII standards is imparted to the wards of the deceased employees in DAV Police Public Schools.