POLICE COMMEMORATION DAY

Every year on October 21, National Police Commemoration Day is observed. Ten policemen
who perished under Chinese gunfire in 1959 are remembered on this day.

Twenty Indian soldiers were attacked by Chinese forces in Ladakh on October 21, 1959, when
they opened fire and tossed grenades. Seven others were hurt, and ten of the courageous police
officers perished in the tragedy. The Chinese soldiers turned over the corpses of the murdered
cops to India on November 28, 1959, more than a month after they were killed. Their funeral was
held in the hot springs in North Eastern Ladakh with full police honours. Their funeral was held
in the hot springs in North Eastern Ladakh with full police honours. 

Ever since the tragedy as a mark of respect for the victims, October 21 has been declared Police
Commemoration Day. In honour of the departed souls, the arms are inverted (Shok Shastra) and
two minutes of silence are observed. In order to proudly remember the tremendous sacrifices
made by them, the names of police martyrs from various states, police departments, and
paramilitary groups are read out. As a sign of respect for the martyrs, three bullets are fired.

Since the country's independence, 34,832 police officers have given their lives in defence of the
nation's integrity and to protect its citizens. 

A national police museum depicts the history, artefacts, police-related gazette notices, distinctive
weaponry, and uniforms of central and state police forces. It is a national level permanent
exhibition on policing subjects. The museum includes a section honouring the remembrance of
the police martyrs from the nation's numerous police agencies.

AAYUSHI SINGH
BA LLB (H)
3rd Year