More than 900 police and central armed police force (CAPF) personnel received medals, including 207 gallantry medals, on the eve of Republic Day.
Assistant Sub Inspector Mohan Lal of the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF), who was killed in the suicide bombing attack in Pulwama on February 14, 2019, was awarded the President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) posthumously. Mr. Lal who was on picket duty tried to flag down the car and fired at the speeding vehicle but was killed along with 39 other personnel in the bus when the bomb exploded. Sixty-eight other CRPF personnel were decorated with bravery medals.
ASI Banua Oraon from the Jharkhand Police also received PPMG posthumously.
None of the 21 Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) personnel who faced Chinese aggression and thwarted incursion in various sectors in Eastern Ladakh last year in April-May were honoured this year. The ITBP had recommended gallantry medals for the 21 personnel in August last year.
“The ITBP troops not only effectively used shields to protect themselves but also responded fiercely to PLA advancing troops and brought the situation under control. With highest order of professional skills, ITBP troops fought shoulder-to-shoulder and also brought the injured Indian Army troops to the rear,” a statement issued by ITBP on August 14, 2020 had said.
A senior government official said ITBP’s proposal was still under consideration.
Deepam Seth, Inspector General, Northwest Frontier headquarter and ITBP Deputy Commandant Rajesh Kumar Luthra received the President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPMDS). Mr. Seth is part of the Corps Commander delegation that is engaged in talks with China’s People’s Liberation Army.
Deputy Commandant Luthra has been decorated for displaying courage and presence of mind to defuse a face-off with Chinese troops at Ladakh in July, 2019 while Assistant Commandant Anurag Kumar Singh, has been given a gallantry medal for the second time for undertaking a counter-terrorist operation in Jammu and Kashmir in 2017.
The Border Security Force was awarded 20 Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG), five President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service (PPMDS) and 46 Police Medals for Meritorious Service (PMMS).
As many as 16 personnel of the Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) were also decorated. The Jammu and Kashmir Police received 71 medals, including 52 for gallantry.
