Guwahati, Oct 21: Six Assam Police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year were remembered on Wednesday as the state observed Police Commemoration Day at the force’s 10th Battalion headquarters in Kahilipara. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma laid a wreath at the martyrs’ altar and paid tribute to the fallen personnel.

A commemorative parade was also held at the headquarters to honour police personnel who made the supreme sacrifice while serving the state. Addressing the gathering, Sarma said 156 police personnel across India had lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year, and the nation is remembering their sacrifices.

“Assam Police lost six officials and jawans in the last one year during duty. Today, we commemorate and remember those six personnel.

Since Independence, Assam Police have lost more than 900 personnel. We remember them today.

It is a crucial day for Assam Police and Indian police personnel,” the Chief Minister said. He also expressed his respect and gratitude to the families of police personnel who had made the supreme sacrifice while serving the country.

“I extend my respect and gratitude to all the families who lost their members,” Sarma said. Police Commemoration Day is observed annually on October 21 to honour police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.

Police Commemoration Day, observed annually on October 21, commemorates 10 policemen killed in an ambush by heavily armed Chinese troops at Hot Springs, Ladakh, in 1959. Meanwhile, Union Home Minister Amit Shah, addressing the commemoration programme in New Delhi, said the Northeast had moved towards peace following several agreements and thousands of people laying down their arms.

“Following several agreements and thousands of people laying down their arms, the entire Northeast has moved towards peace,” Shah said, adding that an atmosphere conducive to development had emerged in the region. He also commended police and Central Armed Police Forces (CAPF) personnel for their contributions to internal security, particularly praising the CAPF and the CoBRA Battalion for their role in tackling Left-wing extremism.