Kamal Ghorui
NEW DELHI: Govt on Sunday, the eve of Republic Day, announced 982 service medals for police, fire, home guards, civil defence and correctional services personnel. J&K led the tally in gallantry awards this time, followed by Maharashtra. The awards include 125 Medals of Gallantry, 101 President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 756 Medals for Meritorious Service.Thirty-five personnel from Left wing extremism-affected areas, 45 from J&K, five from the northeast and 40 from other regions have been awarded for their gallant action, according to the ministry of home affairs.
The largest number of gallantry medals has been awarded to personnel of the J&K Police – 33. IPS officer Tanushree was among the awardees, alongside senior superintendent of police Sahabir Nawab and deputy superintendent of police Javaid Ahmad Lone. Maharashtra Police got 31 gallantry awards, with 28 going to constables. Among Central Armed Police Forces, 12 medals went to Central Reserve Police Force.Four fire services officers have been awarded for gallantry, five awarded the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service and 34 awarded for Meritorious Service. Home guard and civil defence services will receive three President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 33 medals for Meritorious Service.Four correctional services officers have been awarded the President’s Medals for Distinguished Service and 25 for Meritorious Service. Kundan Krishnan from Bihar Police, one of the most senior police officers in the state, has been honoured with the Gallantry Medal.“Out of 101 President’s Medal for Distinguished Service (PSM), 89 have been awarded to police service, five to fire service, three to civil defence and home guard service and four to correctional service. Out of 756 Medal for Meritorious Service, 664 have been awarded to police service, 34 to fire service, 33 to civil defence and home guard service and 25 to correctional service,” a statement said.The Medal for Gallantry and President’s Medal for Gallantry are awarded for a ‘conspicuous act of gallantry’ and a ‘rare conspicuous act of gallantry’ respectively, recognising exceptional courage in saving life/property, preventing crime or arresting criminals.
