75 Maharashtra Police Personnel Honored with Prestigious Republic Day Medals
A total of 75 Maharashtra police personnel will be conferred prestigious police medals on the occasion of Republic Day, marking a significant recognition of their service and bravery. This announcement comes as part of a nationwide tradition where the Union Home Ministry releases a list of awardees ahead of the national celebration.
Gallantry Recognition in Gadchiroli
Among the honorees, 31 personnel from Gadchiroli have been selected for gallantry medals, specifically for their courageous efforts in the fight against Naxalism. This highlights the ongoing challenges and sacrifices made by police forces in conflict-affected regions. The awardees include naik constable Bitaji Veladi and constable Kare Irpa Atram, both of whom laid down their lives while combating Left Wing Extremism, underscoring the ultimate price paid in the line of duty.
Breakdown of Awards
The honors distributed among the Maharashtra police personnel are as follows:
- 31 Medals for Gallantry: Awarded for acts of bravery, with a focus on those from Gadchiroli.
- 4 President's Medals for Distinguished Service: Recognizing exceptional service and leadership.
- 40 Medals for Meritorious Service: Acknowledging consistent and commendable performance over time.
Notable Awardees for Meritorious Service
The list of 40 awardees for meritorious services includes several high-ranking officers from Maharashtra, such as:
- Inspector Generals of Police Rajiv Jain and Sudhir Hiremath.
- Superintendent of Police (Maharashtra ATS) Sheela Sail.
- Deputy Commissioners of Police (DCP) Mohan Dahikar and Purushottam Karad.
- Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Mahesh Tawde.
- Inspector Suvarna Shinde, who heads Mumbai's West region cybercrime police station.
President's Medal for Distinguished Service Recipients
The President's Medal for Distinguished Service has been awarded to four individuals for their outstanding contributions:
- Additional Commissioner of Police Mahesh Patil of Mumbai Police.
- DCP Balkrishna Yadav.
- ACPs Cyrus Irani and Vitthal Kubade.
National Context and Comparisons
Nationally, the Union Home Ministry has released a list of 982 personnel from various units, including police, fire brigade, home guard, and civil defence, who have been selected for gallantry and service medals. This includes:
- 101 President's Medal for Distinguished Service.
- 756 Medal for Meritorious Service.
A state-wise break-up shows that Jammu & Kashmir Police leads with the highest number of gallantry medals at 33, followed by Maharashtra Police at 31, Uttar Pradesh Police at 18, and Delhi Police at 14. Among Central Armed Police Forces, the CRPF is the only force to receive bravery citations, with 12 medals.
Definition of Bravery Medals
As per official definitions, a bravery medal is awarded based on:
- A rare conspicuous act of gallantry.
- A conspicuous act of gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals.
- The risk incurred, estimated with due regard to the obligations and duties of the officer concerned.
This framework ensures that the awards are given for genuine acts of courage and service, reflecting the high standards expected from law enforcement personnel across India.
