Assam Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on Wednesday, 21 October 2026, paid solemn tribute to six police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty over the past year, marking Police Commemoration Day at the Police Memorial in Guwahati. The ceremony, held at the headquarters of the 10th Assam Police Battalion (APBn), saw the Chief Minister lay floral tributes to honour the fallen jawans and officers.

The Commemoration Ceremony

Director General of Police Harmeet Singh and several senior police officers attended the event, which was organised to remember personnel who made the ultimate sacrifice while discharging their responsibilities. Chief Minister Sarma participated as the chief guest, personally laying wreaths at the memorial as a mark of respect.

Speaking to journalists at the event, Sarma underlined the significance of the day. 'In Assam Police, we lost six brave jawans and officers last year. Today, we are here at the memorial to pay our respects and express our gratitude to the brave jawans and officers of police forces across the country,' he said. He also acknowledged the contributions of serving personnel who continue to work in challenging conditions to maintain law and order and protect citizens.

CM Sarma's Tribute on X

In a post on the social media platform X, Chief Minister Sarma broadened the tribute to encompass the entire post-Independence history of the Assam Police. 'On behalf of the people of Assam, I laid a wreath in honour of the 900+ Assam Police personnel who have made the supreme sacrifice for Aai Asomi since Independence. Their courage and devotion to the motherland will never be forgotten. A grateful State will always remember them. It is because of their sacrifice that Assam today stands peaceful, with militancy at near zero and crime sharply down. We will protect that peace, whatever it takes. On #PoliceCommemoration Day, I salute every Veer of @assampolice,' he wrote.

Why October 21 Is Observed as Police Commemoration Day

Police Commemoration Day is observed annually on 21 October to honour police personnel who laid down their lives in the discharge of duty. The date marks a historic tragedy: on 21 October 1959, 10 policemen were killed in an ambush by Chinese troops at Hot Springs in Ladakh during a patrol along the India-China border. That sacrifice set the precedent for a day of national remembrance for the police fraternity.

Across the country, police units organise memorial ceremonies each year to pay homage to fallen colleagues and recognise the commitment of serving officers and jawans. The observance reinforces the importance of acknowledging the risks that police personnel face in maintaining internal security, combating crime, and safeguarding public order.

Assam's Security Transformation

This year's tribute carries particular resonance given the broader context Chief Minister Sarma himself invoked — Assam's marked improvement in internal security. The state, once among the most militancy-affected in India's northeast, has seen insurgent violence decline sharply over the past several years. Sarma's reference to 'militancy at near zero and crime sharply down' reflects a transformation that security analysts attribute, in no small part, to sustained efforts by the Assam Police. Notably, more than 900 Assam Police personnel have laid down their lives since Independence to bring about that security environment.

The Broader National Observance

The Guwahati ceremony was part of a wider nationwide observance, with police units across India organising commemorations simultaneously. The day serves as a reminder that the stability citizens experience is underwritten by the sacrifices of those in uniform. All eyes will now be on the Centre and state governments to follow up on ceremonial recognition with tangible support for the families of fallen personnel.