Nagaland Police observes Police Commemoration Day in Kohima and Tseminyu to honour fallen police personnel
DIMAPUR/KOHIMA — Nagaland Police observed Police Commemoration Day on Wednesday with parades and solemn services to pay tribute to police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
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At the Nagaland Police Headquarters (PHQ) in Kohima, the observance featured a parade where Additional Director General of Police (ADGP) Administration Renchamo P Kikon addressed the gathering and led officers and personnel in laying wreaths at the cenotaph.
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIGP) Operations Shouka Kakheto read out the Roll of Honour, which contained the names of 154 police personnel across the country who made the supreme sacrifice between September 1, 2025, and August 31, 2026.
Addressing the gathering, Kikon said Police Commemoration Day was an occasion of profound solemnity and pride, marked by remembrance, gratitude, and respect for those who placed the safety of society and the integrity of the nation above their own lives. He paid tribute to the fallen personnel and acknowledged their valour, while expressing solidarity with the families of the martyrs, assuring them that the Nagaland Police fraternity stands firmly with them.
Tracing the history of the observance, Kikon recalled the events of October 1959 during heightened border tensions between India and China. On October 20, 1959, three reconnaissance parties were dispatched by the Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) from Hot Springs in Ladakh. While two groups returned safely, the third party, comprising two police constables and a porter, failed to return.
On the morning of October 21, 1959, a search party of 20 police personnel led by Deputy Central Intelligence Officer Karam Singh set out to locate the missing men. Around midday, they were ambushed by heavily armed Chinese troops positioned on a nearby hillock. Despite being outnumbered at an altitude of 16,000 feet, the Indian policemen fought back. Ten personnel attained martyrdom, while seven others sustained severe injuries and were taken prisoner. The bodies of the 10 fallen personnel were returned three weeks later and cremated at Hot Springs with full police honours.
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Kikon stated that the annual Conference of Inspectors General of Police in January 1960 resolved to observe October 21 as Police Commemoration Day nationwide with a solemn Smriti Parade held annually to remember the Hot Springs martyrs and all personnel who died in the line of duty. He noted that the day serves as a national tribute to more than 34,000 police personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice in securing the country's internal peace, security, and sovereignty.
He added that Police Commemoration Day observances would continue until October 31, culminating in Rashtriya Ekta Diwas (National Unity Day), which marks the birth anniversary of Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel.
Highlighting the Nagaland Police's participation in national initiatives, Kikon said the force took part in the National Motorcycle Rally 2026. On October 7, a nine-member contingent was flagged off for an expedition covering 2,845 kilometres across seven states. The team reached Jabalpur in Madhya Pradesh on Tuesday and is scheduled to join other contingents at Kevadia, Gujarat, on October 31 to participate in the National Unity Day Parade.
He also informed that Nagaland Police personnel were representing the state at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi to pay homage at the central cenotaph and honour fallen personnel inscribed on the Wall of Valour.
Referring to the force's service across different regions, Kikon cited operations against terrorists in the Terai region of Uttar Pradesh, action against Naxalites in the jungles of Chhattisgarh and Purulia, and security duties in the National Capital Region of Delhi.
Calling upon serving personnel to draw inspiration from their fallen colleagues, Kikon urged them to uphold the ideals of the martyrs. He stressed that their memory should strengthen the resolve of police personnel to prevent crime, maintain public peace and order, and serve the people with integrity and compassion, adding that the police uniform must remain a symbol of public trust, safety, and sacrifice.
Meanwhile, District Executive Force (DEF) Tseminyu observed the day at the SP office premises in Tseminyu.
Superintendent of Police Tseminyu Talisunep Imchen reminded personnel that Police Commemoration Day is not only a day of mourning but also a time to remember the spirit of selfless sacrifice shown by martyrs, renew the pledge to serve the people, and secure national integrity. He stated that this year, 186 policemen across India laid down their lives while maintaining law and order, preventing anti-social activities, and countering terrorism, and paid tribute to their sacrifice.