Tributes were paid to police officials who laid down their lives in the line of duty on the Police Martyrs Day organized at the Police Martyrs Memorial Park in Mysuru on Tuesday.
Deputy Inspector General of Police (Southern Range) MB Boralingaiah, who was the chief guest at the event, laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial Park near the Nazarbad Superintendent of Police office in the city.
Senior police officials including City Police Commissioner Seema Latkar, Superintendent of Police N. Vishnuvardhan and other officials of the Mysuru Police Department were present.
Police fired several shots into the air as dignitaries laid wreaths at the Martyrs’ Memorial. Members of the police band played the national anthem as a mark of respect to the martyrs.
On the occasion, floral tributes were paid to the bust of T. Harikrishna, the late IPS officer who lost his life during operations against forest bandit Veerappan.
Addressing the gathering on the occasion, Mr. Boralingaiah said that the police not only ensures law and order in solving and controlling crime but also rushes to the places of natural calamities. The police department will stand by the families of police martyrs who lost their lives in the line of duty, he said.
While the defense forces are entrusted with the responsibility of protecting the country’s borders, the police department is responsible for internal security, he pointed out.
In Chamarajanagar
Police Martyrs Day was also observed at the District Armed Reserve Parade Ground in Chamarajanagar on Tuesday where tributes were paid to the martyred police officers.
G. Prabhavathi, Chief District and Sessions Judge and Chairman, District Legal Services Authority, paid floral tributes at the newly constructed 27-feet tall Police Martyrs Memorial, said to be the tallest in the state.
Addressing the gathering, Ms. Prabhavathi said it was our collective responsibility to honor the policemen who were martyred in the line of duty and said that the efficiency and integrity of the police force was key to maintaining law and order, enabling citizens to live in peace and harmony.
Chief District and Sessions Judge G. Prabhavathi, Chamarajanagar Superintendent of Police BT Kavitha and other dignitaries celebrating Police Martyrs Day in Chamarajanagar on Tuesday. | Photo credit: SPECIAL ARRANGEMENT
Teachers must educate children from an early age about the importance of obeying the law and respecting the responsibilities of the police; only in this way can the country raise responsible citizens and real leaders, she added.
If the forest officials are entrusted with the protection of the forests, the police officers are responsible for maintaining peace and harmony in the society, Ms. Prabhavathi said.
In her welcome address, Superintendent of Police BT Kavitha said that October 21 is celebrated as Police Martyrs Day across the country and explained its significance. This year, she said, 191 police officers had lost their lives, including eight from Karnataka.
To mark the occasion, the Chamarajanagar police erected the tallest police memorial in the state – and the second tallest in the country – at the district military training ground.
The event began with the District Magistrate receiving a guard of honor from police contingents.
Among those present were B. Bhaskar, Deputy Conservator of Forests and Field Director, Male Mahadeshwara Wildlife Division; T. Javare Gowda, Additional Deputy Commissioner; MN Shashidhar, Additional Superintendent of Police; and several police officials.
As a mark of respect, three shots were fired in the air, followed by two minutes of silence in memory of the martyrs.
Meanwhile, Police Martyrs’ Day events were also held in Mandya and Madikeri on Tuesday, commemorating the bravery and selflessness of the martyred policemen.
Published – 21 Oct 2025 20:13 IST
