KOHIMA, Oct 21: Nagaland Additional Director General of Police Renchamo P Kikon on Wednesday urged police personnel to uphold integrity, professionalism and dedication, saying the sacrifices of fallen colleagues should continue to guide the force.
Addressing the Police Commemoration Day parade at the Nagaland Police Headquarters, Kikon said the police uniform symbolised public safety, trust and sacrifice. He stressed that the best way to honour personnel who died in the line of duty was to strengthen efforts to prevent crime, maintain public order and serve citizens with compassion.
Paying tribute to the fallen personnel, Kikon expressed solidarity with their bereaved families and assured the families of deceased Nagaland Police personnel of continued support. He said 154 police personnel across the country had died in the line of duty in the 12 months ending August 31.
Police Commemoration Day is observed on October 21 in memory of 10 personnel killed in an encounter with Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959 while searching for missing colleagues.
Kikon also highlighted the participation of Nagaland Police in national events commemorating unity and sacrifice. A nine-member contingent had embarked on a 2,845-km motorcycle expedition across seven states on October 7. The team had reached Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh and was scheduled to join other contingents at Kevadia in Gujarat on October 31 for Rashtriya Ekta Diwas celebrations and the National Unity Day parade.
He added that Nagaland Police personnel were representing the state at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi to honour their fallen colleagues.
During the ceremony, AIGP Shouka Kekhato read out the roll of honour, followed by a bugle call by the Nishan and Angrakshak Toli. Kikon and other police officers and personnel subsequently laid wreaths at the cenotaph in tribute to those who died in the line of duty.
