Team Goemkarponn
PANAJI: Every year on October 21, the nation solemnly observes Police Commemoration Day to honour the courage and sacrifice of ten brave police personnel who laid down their lives defending India’s territorial integrity at Hot Springs in Ladakh in 1959. These valiant policemen were ambushed and killed by heavily armed Chinese troops who had intruded into Indian territory in Aksai Chin.
The origins of the observance trace back to October 21, 1959, when a police party led by Karam Singh, DCIO, was ambushed by Chinese forces equipped with automatic weapons and mortars. Despite being armed only with rifles, the Indian policemen fought gallantly until they were overpowered. The encounter resulted in the death of ten policemen and the capture of nine others. The nation deeply mourned their martyrdom in what was widely regarded as an unequal yet heroic stand.
The bodies of the slain policemen were handed over by the Chinese on November 13, 1959, and were cremated at Hot Springs, Ladakh, the next morning with full honours. Since then, police forces across India have assembled at every district headquarters on October 21 each year to pay homage through ceremonial parades and remembrance services. In 1960, heads of all police organizations formally declared October 21 as Police Commemoration Day.
In a significant tribute to the bravery of Indian police personnel, the National Police Memorial was inaugurated by the Prime Minister on October 21, 2018, at Chanakyapuri, New Delhi, honouring all police martyrs who have laid down their lives in the line of duty.
The Goa Police too will join the nation in commemorating this solemn occasion, remembering its own heroes who sacrificed their lives for duty — Head Constable Balaram B. Shinde, Police Sub-Inspector Abhishek Sher-Ali Parvez Gomes, Police Constable Shailesh K. Gaonkar, and Police Constable Vishwas B. Deykar. The force reiterated its commitment to serve the people of Goa with dedication and uphold the values of courage, integrity and selfless service exemplified by its martyrs.
