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Chandigarh: Director General of Police (DGP), Haryana, Shri O.P. Singh, paid rich tributes to the immortal heroes of the Indian Police Force on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, observed at Police Lines, Panchkula, on Monday.
Accompanied by senior officers, DGP Singh laid a wreath at the Police Martyrs’ Memorial, honouring the supreme sacrifice of 191 brave police personnel from across the country who laid down their lives in the line of duty during the past year.
The solemn ceremony was attended by several senior officers, including DGP (Modernisation & Litigation) Shri Ajay Singhal, ADGP Shri Saurabh Singh, former DGP Shri B.S. Sandhu, and other dignitaries of the Haryana Police.
“Martyrdom is the highest form of sacrifice”
In his address, DGP O.P. Singh said the day is dedicated to the indomitable courage and devotion to duty of the brave sons of the police who made the ultimate sacrifice for the safety and unity of the nation.
“Whenever a police officer lays down his life, the family faces a mountain of hardships. Their world changes in a moment — emotionally and financially. It becomes our foremost duty to stand by these families and ensure they live with dignity,” the DGP said.
He noted that Haryana Police has institutionalised strong welfare measures for such families, including government jobs and financial assistance up to ₹ one crore to the dependents of martyrs, along with complete support for the education and well-being of their children.
Reflecting on the deeper meaning of sacrifice, DGP Singh said martyrdom is revered as the highest expression of service to humanity.
“Through imagination and sensitivity, we must build a civilisation where the lion and the goat can drink water from the same stream — symbolising balance between strength and peace,” he said. “While the lion must not misuse its power, the goat must not live in fear. However, some societal elements behave like wolves and foxes — violent and selfish. Such people must be dealt with firmly and decisively.”
Calling violence the enemy of civilisation, he added that the police’s fight against crime is not ideological but legal.
“We walk the path of law, and our policy is crystal clear — tit for tat. If a criminal fires one bullet, the police will not retreat. We will respond within the justice framework and ensure peace through decisive action,” he asserted.
DGP Singh further said that the Haryana Police stands in solidarity with the families of martyrs and draws inspiration from their courage.
“We bow to those brave mothers who gave birth to valiant sons who laid down their lives for the nation. Their sacrifice keeps the spirit of service alive in every police uniform. Together, we will build a Haryana that is stronger, safer, and more sensitive — a state that honours its martyrs not just in words, but in action,” he said.
Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21 to honour the memory of police personnel who have sacrificed their lives in the line of duty. The tradition dates back to October 21, 1959, when ten brave personnel of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) were ambushed and martyred by Chinese soldiers while patrolling the Indo-Tibetan border in Ladakh. Since then, the day has been observed nationwide to acknowledge the dedication and sacrifice of India’s police forces.
