HAPPY 75th Republic Day: Ahead of the 75th Republic Day, the Indian government recognized the commendable efforts of more than 1,000 police personnel by presenting them with gallantry and service medals, including 277 gallantry medals. The awards restructured into categories like President's Medal for Gallantry and Medal for Gallantry, were bestowed upon individuals serving in conflict zones. Notably, two Border Security Force personnel were posthumously honored for their exceptional contributions to peacekeeping in the Democratic Republic of Congo.
The Jammu and Kashmir police received the highest number of gallantry medals, underlining their crucial role in maintaining security. According to a statement from the Union home ministry, a total of 1,132 personnel from various departments, including police, fire service, home guard, civil defense, and correctional service, were recognized on the occasion of the 75th Republic Day in 2024.
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The medals have now been categorized as President's Medal for Gallantry (PMG), Medal for Gallantry (GM), President's Medals for Distinguished Service (PSM), and Medal for Meritorious Service (MSM). Out of the 277 gallantry awards, 119 were conferred upon personnel deployed in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas, while 133 were given to individuals from the Jammu & Kashmir region.
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The prestigious PMG was awarded posthumously to two Border Security Force (BSF) personnel, Head Constables Sanwala Ram Vishnoi and Shishu Pal Singh, for their outstanding contribution to peacekeeping as part of the United Nations Organization Stabilization Mission in the Democratic Republic of Congo. They were members of the 15th Congo Contingent of BSF at the Moroccan Rapid Deployment Battalion (MORRDB) camp in Butembo and lost their lives in the line of duty in July 2022.
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The PMG and GM medals are conferred for "rare conspicuous acts of gallantry" and "conspicuous acts of gallantry," respectively, in saving lives and property, preventing crime, or arresting criminals. The risks involved are assessed with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officers concerned, according to the statement.
Jammu and Kashmir police personnel received the highest number of gallantry medals at 72, followed by 65 for Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) troops, 18 for Maharashtra, 26 for Chhattisgarh, 23 for Jharkhand, 15 for Odisha, eight for Delhi Police, and 21 for Sashastra Seema Bal (SSB) personnel.
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