Police Commissioner pays tribute to fallen officers

Police Commissioner Shankhabrata Bagchi paid tribute on Tuesday to police officers who lost their lives in the line of duty. The ceremony was held at the Police Memorial on Beach Road for Police Commemoration Day.

Mr. Bagchi, the chief guest, inspected the ceremonial guard of honour. He remembered the sacrifices of officers who keep the city safe. He also noted that this day marks the martyrdom of ten CRPF personnel in Ladakh on October 21, 1959.

“Across India, 191 police personnel have died in duty this year alone,” he said.

He spoke about key initiatives. These include modernising police stations, expanding CCTV coverage, cybercrime units, patrol vehicles, the Shakthi app for women’s safety, community policing, and drug-free campaigns.

Mr. Bagchi also outlined welfare measures. They include housing, health schemes, police hostels, family funds, and sports and wellness programmes. “The government is moving towards technology-driven policing with smart policing, digital investigation systems, e-office solutions, and central monitoring,” he said.

Health check-ups were done for about 3,400 police personnel and home guards. CT Coronary Calcium Score Tests are being added to prevent heart attacks. Medical tests for 1,900 police family members were done with King George Hospital.

For women officers, a Women’s Home was opened in June. Housing improvements were made in Karasa, Allipuram, III Town, and Chinawaltair. Upgrades included water supply, street lights, CCTV, drainage, and renovated police stations.

The ‘Shaheed Pustak Toli’ team presented Mr. Bagchi with a book listing last year’s martyred police personnel. Their names were read out at the memorial.

The event was attended by Mayor Peela Srinivasa Rao, Principal District & Sessions Judge Ch. Raju, Collector M.N. Harendhira Prasad, TDP State President Palla Srinivasa Rao, Visakhapatnam North MLA P. Vishnu Kumar Raju, and other officials.