CRPF leads police gallantry medals list

Of the 930 police personnel decorated with gallantry and other service medals on the eve of Independence Day, the CRPF bagged the maximum of 26 followed by Manipur with 24. HT reports.

Of the 930 police personnel decorated with gallantry and other service medals on the eve of Independence Day, the CRPF bagged the maximum of 26 followed by Manipur with 24.

HT Image

Those among CRPF personnel being decorated are DIG Nalin Prabhat who led the force during the deadly Dantewada Naxal ambush in Chhattisgarh on April 6 last year that claimed 76 lives. A 1992 Andhra cadre IPS officer, Prabhat’s role was probed by many commissions.

The CRPF has deployed about 60,000 troops for anti-Naxal operations in the country.

Also among the gallantry winners is Madhya Pradesh Anti-Terror Squad constable Sitaram Yadav, who was killed by SIMI operatives in Khandwa district in 2009. Yadav was instrumental in cracking several modules of SIMI and was involved in other such operations.

The government on Sunday announced President’s Police Medal for gallantry to seven personnel, Police Medal for gallantry to 95 personnel, President’s Police Medal for distinguished service to 93 personnel and Police Medal for meritorious service to 735 personnel.

Sixteen personnel were awarded Correctional Service Medal, one President’s Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry, one Correctional Service Medal for Gallantry, two President’s Correctional Service Medal for Distinguished Service and 12 Correctional Service Medal for Meritorious Service.