New Delhi [India], October 21 (ANI): Union Home Minister Amit Shah paid homage to the martyrs on Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial here on Monday.

"Today we all have gathered to pay tribute to the brave soldiers who sacrificed their lives to protect the internal security of the country and the borders of the country," Amit Shah told the gathering on the occasion.

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"These soldiers are protecting the borders of the country from Kashmir to Kanyakumari and from Kutch to Kibithu," the Union Minister said.

Director, Intelligence Bureau, Tapan Kumar Deka also paid homage at the National Police Memorial.

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The Police Commemoration day is also called Martyr's Day.

"Today on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day, we all have gathered to pay tribute to the brave police personnel who sacrificed their lives for the country last year," Deka said while speaking at the gathering.

"On 21 October 1959, 10 brave CRPF jawans sacrificed their lives for the country. Since that day, we have been celebrating 21 October as Police Commemoration Day every year. Last year, 216 policemen sacrificed their lives for the country. Since independence, 36,468 policemen have sacrificed their lives for the country," he said.

Police Commemoration Day on October 21 is observed across the country and homage is paid to police personnel who lost their lives for the country with the main function organised at the National Police Memorial which is customarily presided over by the Union Home Minister. A joint parade of Central Armed Police Forces along with Delhi Police is held.

On October 21, 1959, ten valiant policemen laid down their lives in an ambush laid by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh. October 21 is observed in commemoration of these police personnel and of all others who made the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty.

In recognition of the sacrifices made by police personnel and their paramount role in preserving national security and integrity, Prime Minister Narendra Modi dedicated the National Police Memorial (NPM), Chanakyapuri, New Delhi to the nation on Police Commemoration Day 2018.The memorial gives Police Forces a sense of national identity, pride, unity of purpose, common history and destiny, besides reinforcing their commitment to protect the nation even at the cost of their lives. The memorial comprises a Central Sculpture, the 'Wall of Valour' and a Museum.

The Central sculpture, which is a 30-foot-high granite monolith cenotaph, stands for strength, resilience and selfless service of Police personnel. The Wall of Valour on which the names of these police personnel who lost their lives for the country are engraved stands as a steadfast acknowledgement of the bravery and sacrifice of Police personnel who have laid down their lives in the line of duty since Independence.

The museum is conceptualized as a historical and evolving exhibition on policing in India. The Memorial is a site of pilgrimage, a place of reverence for Police personnel and citizens alike.The NPM is open to the public on all days except Mondays. Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) organise band display, parade and retreat ceremony at the NPM on every Saturday and Sunday in the evening, starting one hour prior to sunset. (ANI)

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