Couple of days after providing a safe and secure security system at Ayodhya during the Ram Temple consecration, Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (Law & Order) Prashant Kumar has been conferred with the President’s Medal for gallantry on Republic Day (Friday) for his bravery in the encounter of a dreaded criminal when he was ADG (Meerut).
While the award is also bestowed on the then SSP Meerut Mrs Manzil Saini for her bravery, the 2024 President’s gallantry medal will be Prashant Kumar’s fourth of the total of 109 various national and state level commendable and exemplary services as police officer. Prashant has also received cash awards twice by the State government.
Born and brought up in Bihar, the 1990 batch IPS of UP cadre, Prashant Kumar holds the distinction of being awarded the gallantry medal for three consecutive years (2020, 2021 and 2022 and now in 2024.
“Indeed it’s a proud moment for me, my family and above all my department led by the State Government in extending full cooperation and giving me a free hand to work as a uniformed man in service of the people. Wish I continue to meet the expectations of people in providing a safe and secure atmosphere in the State and now particularly in Ayodhya where millions of devotees will turn for darshan of Lord Ram. Jai Hind,” Prashant told The Pioneer when sought his remarks on yet another award for distinguished services.
As ADG,Prashant Kumar was conferred with the President’s Police Medal for meritorious services in 2007 and President’s Medal for distinguished services in 2014. He, along with nine other policemen , received a reward of ?3 lakh each as Chief Minister’s Appreciation on January 7, 2022 for bravery in the encounter of dreaded brigand Uday Bhan Yadav alias Gauri Yadav on October 30, 2021. Uday Bhan carried a reward of ?5.5 lakh on his head.
Prashant Kumar’s role for a successful grand ceremony at Ayodhya early this week which handled a host of who’s who of the country led by Prime Minister Narendra Modi, UP CM Yogi Adityanath and more than 10 lakhs visitors in a span of three days has been lauded at various levels as the event was incident free.