Karnataka: Police Martyrs’ Day observed in Mysuru, Chamarajanagar

Tributes were paid to police officials who laid down their lives in the line of duty, at the Police Martyrs’ Day organised at the Police Martyrs’ Memorial Park in Mysuru on Tuesday.

Deputy Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) M.B. Boralingaiah, who was the chief guest for the function, laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial Park near the office of the Superintendent of Police in Nazarbad in the city.

Senior police officials, including City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Superintendent of Police N. Vishnuvardhan, and other officials of the police department in Mysuru were in attendance.

The police fired a couple of rounds in the air while dignitaries laid wreaths at the Martyrs’ Memorial. Members of the police band played the national anthem as a mark of respect to the martyrs.

On the occasion, floral tributes were paid to the bust of T. Harikrishna, the late IPS officer, who lost his life during the operations against forest bandit Veerappan.

Mr. Boralingaiah, who addressed the gathering on the occasion, said that the police not only ensures law and order while solving and controlling crime, but also rushes to the spots of natural calamities. The police department will stand by the families of the police martyrs, who lose their lives in the line of duty, he said.

While the defence forces are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the country’s borders, the internal security is the responsibility of the police deparment, he pointed out.

In Chamarajanagar

Police Martyrs’ Day was also observed at the District Armed Reserve Parade Ground in Chamarajanagar on Tuesday, with tributes being offered to martyred police personnel.

G. Prabhavathi, Principal District and Sessions Judge and Chairperson of the District Legal Services Authority, paid floral tributes at the newly constructed 27-feet-tall Police Martyrs’ Memorial, said to be the tallest in the State.

Addressing the gathering, Ms. Prabhavathi said that it is our collective responsibility to honour police personnel who were martyred while on duty, and stated that the efficiency and integrity of the police force were crucial in maintaining law and order, enabling citizens to live in peace and harmony.

Teachers must educate children from an early age about the importance of obeying the law and respecting the duties of the police; only then can the country nurture responsible citizens and true leaders, she added.

If forest officers are entrusted with the protection of forests, police personnel shoulder the responsibility of safeguarding peace and harmony in the society, Ms. Prabhavathi stated.

In her welcome address, Superintendent of Police B.T. Kavitha said that October 21 is observed across the country as Police Martyrs’ Day, and explained the significance of the same. This year, 191 police personnel, including eight from Karnataka, have laid down their lives in the line of duty, she said.

To mark the occasion, the Chamarajanagar police have constructed the tallest police memorial in the State — and the second tallest in the country — at the District Armed Reserve Parade Ground.

The event began with the District Judge receiving a guard of honour from police contingents.

Among those present were B. Bhaskar, Deputy Conservator of Forests and Field Director of the Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Division; T. Javare Gowda, Additional Deputy Commissioner; M.N. Shashidhar, Additional Superintendent of Police; and several police officials.

As part of the tribute, three rounds were fired in the air, followed by two minutes of silence in memory of the martyrs.

Meanwhile, Police Martyrs’ Day events were also held at Mandya and Madikeri on Tuesday, where the bravery and selflessness of martyred police personnel were recalled.