Kakinada, Oct 21st: On the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, rich tributes were paid to police martyrs who sacrificed their lives while discharging their duties to safeguard the country from external threats. Condolences were also conveyed to their families here on Wednesday. The social welfare minister, Mr. Pilli Subhash Chandra Bose, the collector, Mr. Gopala Krishna Dwevedi, the superintendent of police, Mr. Y. Nagi Reddy, MLAs and others placed wreaths at the martyrs’ column erected at the office of the District Superintendent of Police.

Speaking on the occasion, the minister said that the police were doing excellent job in protecting the people and the country from extremist activities. He stressed the need to adopt advanced technologies to guard the lives of policemen. Lauding the role of police, the collector said that policemen have to discharge their duties in unusual conditions with great risk. Narrating the history of the commemoration day, Mr. Nagi Reddy said that on October 21 in 1959, a group of police personnel died at Hot Springs in Ladakh district while patrolling the country’s territory in an attack by the Chinese Army. Since then the police department observes the day as Commemoration Day every year.

Later the minister gave away prizes to the winners in various competitions conducted to mark the day. A rally by police and public was held in the town.