India observes Police Commemoration Day to honor 36,852 martyrs

India marked the 67th Police Commemoration Day on October 21, honoring police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty. At the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Intelligence Bureau Director Dr. Mahesh Dixit announced that 154 personnel died in the line of duty over the past year, bringing the total number of martyrs since Independence to 36,852.

Union Home Minister Amit Shah presided over the national ceremony, which included a joint parade by the Delhi Police and various Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF). Shah also flagged off a motorcycle rally themed ‘Fight Against Drugs,’ part of a nationwide campaign aimed at eliminating narcotics by the end of 2029. He emphasized the importance of the police force in maintaining internal security and combating drug abuse.

Commemorative events were held across various states. In Odisha, DGP-in-Charge Vinaytosh Mishra called for the adoption of modern technology to combat evolving threats like cyber fraud. In Maharashtra, Chief Minister Devendra Fadnavis and Mumbai Mayor Ritu Tawde paid floral tributes, while Tripura Chief Minister Manik Saha reaffirmed his commitment to modernizing the state police force.