Odisha Police observed the 67th State-Level Police Commemoration Day on Wednesday, October 21, at the Reserve Police Ground in Buxi Bazaar, Kataka. Senior officials and personnel gathered to honour security personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
Odisha Director General of Police (DGP)-in-charge Vinaytosh Mishra, accompanied by senior officers, laid wreaths at the Martyrs’ Memorial to pay homage to fallen personnel across the state and nation.
National Context and Historical Origin
Nationwide, Police Commemoration Day is observed every year on October 21. The solemn occasion commemorates the sacrifice of 10 Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel who were killed in an ambush by Chinese troops while defending the Indian border at Hot Springs, Ladakh, on October 21, 1959.
- Nationwide Toll (Past Year): Across India, 154 police personnel made the supreme sacrifice while performing their duties over the past year, highlighting the daily hazards security personnel face.
- Statewide Participation: Officers from various wings and districts of Odisha Police attended the Katak ceremony to reaffirm the force’s pledge toward maintaining public safety, peace, and public order.
Firm Stance on Crime and Evolving Threats
Addressing the gathering, In-charge DGP Vinaytosh Mishra reiterated the force’s resolve to clamp down on criminal networks and protect citizens across urban and rural sectors.
Reflecting on changing security dynamics over the past four decades, Mishra noted that while major organised cross-border terrorism—which once presented severe challenges in regions like Punjab and Kashmir—has significantly declined, combating organised crime and cyber threats remains a paramount daily responsibility for modern police forces.
