Chief Minister Dr Mohan Yadav paid tribute to police personnel who sacrificed their lives in the line of duty at the Police Commemoration Day ceremony at Lal Parade Ground in Bhopal on Tuesday. He laid a wreath at the Martyrs’ Memorial as the police band played the salute tune. Mayor Malti Rai, Chief Secretary Ashok Barnwal, senior police officers and retired personnel attended the ceremony. Yadav said that Madhya Pradesh had overcome the 35-year challenge of Naxalism, crediting security personnel and the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. He described the achievement as a matter of pride and said the police and armed forces played a crucial role in protecting national security, maintaining peace and strengthening India’s unity and integrity. The Chief Minister said that the Government had decided to divide the Rs 1 crore ex-gratia amount payable after a police personnel’s martyrdom equally between the deceased’s wife and elderly parents.

 

He said that the Government was also focusing on recruitment, promotions, better facilities and implementation of new criminal laws. Cybercrime and other emerging threats required co-ordinated action, he added. Director General of Police Kailash Makwana said that nine Madhya Pradesh Police personnel and officers had died in the line of duty during the year. The national Roll of Honour listed 154 police personnel from across the country. He said supporting martyrs’ families was a moral responsibility of the police force. Makwana said that 38 police personnel and 58 civilians had lost their lives in Naxalite attacks in Madhya Pradesh. Anti-Naxal operations intensified in 2025, with operations continuing during the monsoon and the highest number of encounters and surrenders recorded in a single year. A record 110 police officers and personnel received out-of-turn promotions during 2025. A Madhya Pradesh Hawk Force contingent and its band will participate in a special parade at Kevadia, Gujarat, on October 31 to mark Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel’s birth anniversary.

 

The theme will be Naxal-Free India. Makwana also paid tribute to late Hawk Force Inspector Ashish Sharma. Makwana said that cybercrime, narcotics and threats linked to digital platforms and social media posed growing challenges. The police were strengthening their response through technology, training and awareness campaigns, including ‘Nasha Se Doori Hai Zaroori’ and ‘Safe Click’. He said that recruitment had been undertaken against more than 18,000 vacant posts, while preparations for Simhastha-2028 security were progressing. The ceremony featured police and Special Armed Force platoons, Home Guards, mounted police, a dog squad and the police band. The Roll of Honour was read out for personnel who died in the line of duty between September 2025 and August 2026. Yadav also met the families of martyrs and members of the parade contingent.