A total of 855 police and paramilitary personnel were awarded police medals Friday, including 149 for gallantry in Jammu and Kashmir, Naxal violence affected areas and others, ahead of the Republic Day.
The CRPF, the country's largest paramilitary force, was decorated with maximum 44 awards for bravery followed by Odisha Police at 26 medals, Jammu and Kashmir Police 25 medals and Chhattisgarh 14 medals.
Three Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) personnel were also decorated posthumously with the top category President's Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG).
Other gallantry medal winners hail from Meghalaya (13), Uttar Pradesh (10), Border Security Force (8), Delhi (4), Jharkhand (3) and one each from the Assam Rifles and the Indo-Tibetan Border Police.
A Ministry of Home Affairs order said a total of 146 Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), 74 President's Police Medal for distinguished service and 632 police medal for meritorious service were conferred on the men and the women in khaki from various state police and central police forces and organisations.
All you need to know about gallantry awards:
Here's what the gallantry awards signify:
Param Vir Chakra
The plain purple ribbon and the medal, made of bronze with the replicas of 'Indra's Vajra' and two Lotus flowers, which is India's national flower. The ritual weapon, Vajra, signifies indestructibility and irresistible force.
For the Param Vir Chakra, the awardee is required to be in the forces either as a soldier or behind the scene. The ones behind the war, who are eligible, are the hospital staff of the forces. The forces include the Naval, Military and Air Forces, of any of the Reserve Forces, of the Territorial Army, Militia and of any other lawfully constituted armed forces.
Mahavir Chakra
The half-white and half-orange colour ribbon and the silver medal will be embossed with a five-pointed heraldic star. The points of the star touch the rim of the circular medal. The star, in the centre, has a domed gilded with the state emblem.
The same as per the Param Vir Chakra are eligible for this award.
Vir Chakra
The half blue and half orange ribbon with a standard silver medal has a five-pointed heraldic star with a Chakra in the middle. The Chakra will be a domed centrepiece bearing the gilded State Emblem.
The same as per the Param Vir Chakra and Mahavir Chakra are eligible for this award.
Ashoka Chakra
The green colour ribbon, divided into two equal parts by an orange vertical line, with a gold medal will have Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
For this award, not only the ones in the forces but also civilians are eligible and honoured for their act of bravery.
Kirti Chakra
The green ribbon, divided into three parts by two orange lines, is with a silver medal. The medal will have a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
The same as per the Ashoka Chakra are eligible for this award.
Shaurya Chakra
The green colour ribbon, divided into four parts by three lines, is with a bronze medal. The medal will have a replica of Ashoka’s Chakra in the centre, surrounded by a lotus wreath.
(With inputs from PTI)
