New Delhi: Defence Minister Rajnath Singh on Tuesday paid homage to fallen heroes on Police Commemoration Day at the National Police Memorial, honouring the sacrifices of police personnel who, he said, uphold the integrity of society.
The day marks the 1959 ambush at Hot Springs in Ladakh, where ten brave policemen were martyred in an attack by heavily armed Chinese troops. Since then, October 21 has been observed every year to remember their supreme sacrifice.
Addressing the gathering, Singh said, “This is the day to remember the ultimate sacrifices made by our police and paramilitary forces. I pay my heartfelt tributes to those who laid down their lives in the line of duty to safeguard the citizens of our nation.”
Highlighting the interdependence between society and the police, Singh noted, “A society can only progress in an environment of peace, security, justice, and trust — all of which are upheld by our police personnel. However, the police can perform effectively only when society cooperates and respects the law. Mutual understanding between the two leads to collective prosperity.”
He underlined that every nation’s security rests on two pillars — external and internal security. “While the Armed Forces and Coast Guard defend the country from external threats, it is the police who maintain internal security in coordination with intelligence agencies,” he said.
“If the Armed Forces protect the nation’s geographical integrity, the police safeguard the integrity of society,” Singh added. “Both are essential pillars of national security. Regardless of whether the threat comes from outside or within, those who protect India represent one spirit and one mission — protecting the nation.”
The Defence Minister emphasized that maintaining a balance between external and internal security has become even more crucial as India advances toward Amritkaal and Viksit Bharat 2047.
“Today, crime has become multi-dimensional — it affects not just life and property but also privacy, identity, and trust,” he said. “The police must combat both crime and perception. Upholding public trust is as important as enforcing the law, and our police are performing both duties admirably.”
Concluding his address, Singh said, “If people in the country can sleep peacefully at night, it is because they know that our Armed Forces guard the borders and our police patrol the streets. Citizens have faith that in times of crisis, the police will always stand by them.”
