Union Home Minister presents President’s Police Colours to U’khand Police
Garhwal Post Bureau
Dehradun, 6 Nov: Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah and Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami participated in the President’s Police Colours Presentation Ceremony of Uttarakhand Police held at the Reserve Police Lines here today. On this occasion, the Union Home Minister inspected the ceremonial parade and presented the prestigious President’s Police Colours to the Uttarakhand Police. The honour, awarded in recognition of the force’s 25 years of distinguished service, discipline, dedication and exemplary performance, marks a historic achievement for the state police. With this, Uttarakhand has become the 16th state in the country to receive the prestigious distinction.
On the occasion, Shah presented the President’s Medal for Distinguished Service to retired Inspector General of Police Narayan Singh Napalchyal and Chief Fire Officer Vansh Bahadur Yadav. Medals for Meritorious Service were conferred upon Superintendent of Police Jagdish Chandra, Assistant Commandant Pratima Bhatt and retired Intelligence Sub-Inspector Sauhkar Pundir. In addition, Shah and Dhami also released a special postal cover and a police magazine of Uttarakhand Police.
Congratulating the Uttarakhand Police on receiving the President’s Police Colours, Shah described it as a moment of pride for every police officer and jawan in the state. He observed that the force has earned a distinct identity through its spirit of service, discipline and commitment to duty. Referring to Uttarakhand as Devbhoomi, he noted that the state is known worldwide for its natural beauty, spiritual significance and religious destinations. Ensuring the safety of lakhs of pilgrims and tourists visiting the state every year and managing major events such as the Char Dham Yatra and Kumbh Mela remain among the key responsibilities of Uttarakhand Police, which the force has been discharging with dedication.
The Home Minister also noted that Uttarakhand Police has made notable efforts towards the effective implementation of the three new criminal laws. The adoption of modern technology, forensic science and digital systems is expected to accelerate investigation and judicial processes. He said efforts are underway to digitally integrate police, courts, prosecution and related institutions, with the objective of ensuring that cases registered after May 2027 result in convictions within three years, thereby facilitating timely justice for citizens.
Paying tribute to the 206 personnel of Uttarakhand Police who laid down their lives in the line of duty, Shah said the force has grown from around 13,000 personnel at the time of the state’s formation to more than 26,000 today. Despite challenging geographical conditions, frequent natural disasters and the increasing number of tourists, the force has consistently displayed courage, sensitivity and dedication. He particularly appreciated the role of police personnel in relief and rescue operations during disasters.
Shah said the Vibrant Villages Programme launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi is contributing to the development of border areas and efforts to curb migration. He also stated that Uttarakhand Police is playing an important role in ensuring security and facilitating development in these strategically important regions.
The Union Minister also highlighted the success achieved by security forces in the campaign against Left Wing Extremism and said the Centre is committed to building a drug-free India. He lauded Uttarakhand Police for its action against narcotics and cyber-crime, expressing confidence that the state would make further progress towards becoming drug-free. He also congratulated the police athletes for winning 37 medals at the World Police and Fire Games and said the President’s Police Colours would further boost the morale of the force and inspire it to achieve higher standards of service. Shah also appreciated the development works being undertaken in the state under the leadership of Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami and stressed the importance of strengthening security alongside development.
Addressing the gathering, Dhami congratulated all the officers and personnel of Uttarakhand Police and described the President’s Police Colours as national recognition of the force’s courage, discipline, commitment and public service. He said the honour is a matter of pride for every citizen of Uttarakhand and represented a new chapter in the glorious history of the state police.
Welcoming Amit Shah to Uttarakhand, the CM said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Union Home Minister, India’s internal security framework has become significantly stronger. Effective action against terrorism and naxalism, implementation of the three new criminal laws and modernisation of police forces are among the major achievements in this direction.
Dhami said that while Uttarakhand Police had around 13,000 personnel, 96 police stations and 42 police outposts at the time of statehood, the force now comprises more than 26,000 personnel. He recalled that the country’s first woman Director General of Police, late Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, had led Uttarakhand Police, which remains a matter of pride for the state. He added that the participation of women in the force had now reached nearly 14 per cent.
The CM emphasised that Uttarakhand Police is performing a crucial role not only in maintaining law and order but also in managing the Char Dham Yatra, tourism, traffic regulation and disaster relief and rescue operations. Despite difficult terrain and challenging conditions, police personnel continue to discharge their responsibilities with sensitivity and commitment.
Highlighting the state’s anti-drug campaign, Dhami said that under the Drugs Free Devbhoomi initiative, police have arrested more than 7,000 accused persons over the past four years and seized illegal narcotics worth over Rs 307 crore. He also referred to Operation Smile, which helps reunite missing children with their families, and Operation Mukti, aimed at bringing children engaged in begging into the mainstream of education.
The CM said the state government remains committed to strengthening law and order and ensuring public safety. He highlighted the implementation of the Uniform Civil Code, anti-conversion legislation and anti-riot laws in the state, along with large-scale action against illegal encroachments on government land. He further said that efforts are underway to establish a State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre and to develop the Police Training College at Narendra Nagar as a Centre of Excellence. Modern technology, advanced training and improved resources, he added, are being used to further enhance the capabilities of Uttarakhand Police.
Dhami said the President’s Police Colours are not merely an honour but also a symbol of greater responsibility towards public service. He expressed confidence that Uttarakhand Police would continue to strengthen public trust through its courage, discipline, sensitivity and sense of duty in the years ahead.
Among those present on the occasion were former Chief Ministers Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Tirath Singh Rawat and Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, ministers of the state government, Members of Parliament, MLAs, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Director General of Police (DGP) Deepam Seth, senior government and police officials, public representatives and other dignitaries.
