India observes Police Commemoration Day on October 21

• Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid homage to police martyrs at the National Police Memorial (NPM) in New Delhi on Police Commemoration Day.

• Since Independence, 36,852 police personnel have sacrificed their lives for safeguarding the integrity of the nation and providing security to the people of this country. 

• The annual function is organised in remembrance of 10 police personnel killed in an ambush by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh on October 21, 1959.

History of Police Commemoration Day

• Indian Police personnel were responsible for manning the border of India with Tibet until the autumn of 1959.

• On October 20, 1959, three reconnaissance parties were launched from Hot Springs in North Eastern Ladakh in preparation for further movement of an Indian expedition which was on its way to Lanak La. 

• While members of two parties returned to Hot Springs by the afternoon of that day, the third one comprising two police constables and a Porter did not return. 

• All available personnel were mobilised early next morning in search of the missing personnel. 

• A party of about 20 police personnel led by Karam Singh, DCIO proceeded ahead on horseback, while others followed on foot in three sections.

• At about mid day, Chinese Army personnel were seen on a hillock who opened fire and threw grenades at the party led by Karam Singh. 

• Since there was no cover, most personnel were injured. Ten police personnel attained martyrdom and seven others sustained injuries. 

• The seven injured were taken as prisoners by the Chinese while the remaining managed to escape. 

• Bodies of the ten personnel were returned by the Chinese only on November 13, 1959, a full three weeks after the incident. These bodies were cremated with full Police honours at Hot Springs.

• The Annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police of States and Union Territories held in January 1960 decided that October 21 would henceforth be observed as ‘Police Commemoration Day’.