Jharkhand pays tribute to police martyrs on Police Commemoration Day

Jharkhand Director General of Police (DGP) Tadasha Mishra paid tribute to police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty during a Police Commemoration Day ceremony held at the parade ground of the Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP-1) campus in Doranda, Ranchi, on Wednesday.

Senior police officials from the state police headquarters attended the ceremony, which honoured the courage, dedication and supreme sacrifice of police personnel from various states, police forces and paramilitary organisations across the country.

The programme began with floral tributes at the Martyrs' Memorial on the JAP-1 campus. A total of 154 police and paramilitary personnel lost their lives while performing their duties during 2025-26. Three of the martyrs belonged to Jharkhand: Sub-Inspector Hemant Bhagat, Constable Sunil Ram and Constable Santan Kumar Mehta.

Addressing the gathering, DGP Tadasha Mishra paid special tribute to the three Jharkhand personnel who had recently lost their lives in the line of duty. She said policing was a challenging profession involving considerable stress and numerous difficulties, yet personnel continued to serve with dedication and, in many cases, made the ultimate sacrifice.

She said the annual observance recognised the contribution of police personnel who remained steadfast in their commitment to public service despite the risks associated with their profession.

Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21 in memory of 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in a Chinese attack at Hot Springs in Ladakh on October 21, 1959. Since then, the day has been dedicated to honouring police personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty.

According to the figures cited at the ceremony, 36,852 police personnel have laid down their lives in the service of the nation since Independence.

Commemorative parades and tribute programmes were also organised from 8 am at designated police establishments across Jharkhand, including district headquarters, JAP units, India Reserve Battalions (IRB), the Special Task Force (STF), railway police and the Special Branch.

Ranchi Police also paid floral tributes at the Martyrs' Memorial at the New Police Centre and honoured the families of the deceased personnel. Officials assured the families that necessary steps would be taken to address their concerns.

The observance reaffirmed the police force's commitment to honouring its martyrs and supporting their families, while inspiring serving personnel to uphold the highest standards of duty and dedication.