NEW DELHI: In a remarkable feat, Uttar Pradesh Police aced the medals tally, winning 95 of the 797 conferred on the eve of Republic Day for gallantry, distinguished service and meritorious service.
The 33 gallantry medal winners from UP, 17 of whom are from police and 16 from fire services, include personnel of STF who were involved in operations to neutralise top gangsters and criminals.
This is the first time since 2021 that a state police force will be conferred highest number of police medals. On other occasions of Republic Day and Independence Day since Aug 15, 2021, when J&K Police landed the biggest haul of 272 police medals, CRPF had been at top of the table.
A total 942 personnel in various state police forces, central paramilitary and police orgs, fire services, civil defence and correctional services were named for different categories of medals on R-Day eve. Among the winners, 95 were honoured for gallantry – 78 policemen and 17 fire-fighting personnel; 101 were conferred President’s medal for distinguished service; and 746 for meritorious service.
Acts of bravery in J&K theatre and LWE areas won police personnel 28 medals each, while three personnel were honoured for actions in the northeast. Seven J&K Police personnel were named for gallantry medal for averting possible attack on Amarnath yatra three years ago.
After UP Police, CRPF is next with 19 gallantry medals, J&K Police with 16, Chhattisgarh Police with 11, Odisha Police (6), BSF (5), SSB (4) and Assam Rifles (1). Four personnel were named for gallantry medals posthumously.
In terms of services, 797 medal-winners are from the police forces, 59 from fire services, 46 from home guards and civil defence, and 40 from correctional services.