Context

In memory of these and other colleagues killed, all the police forces of the State and Centre observe October 21 as Police Commemoration Day.

Casualties among the police forces

• As the CRPF is deployed in the highly disturbed areas of Jammu and Kashmir, the Northeast and the Left-Wing Extremist-affected States, the highest casualties (82) were seen in this force.
• The Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP), which guards the border from Ladakh to Arunachal Pradesh at forbidding heights, lost 54 of its personnel.
• The Border Security Force lost 47 personnel.
• Among the State Police forces, Chhattisgarh, which is combating the Maoist menace, lost the most personnel (32) followed by J&K (17) and Karnataka (17).

Neglect of the police and paramilitary personnels

• They get paid low salaries, have a poor quality of life and are often deprived of basic facilities.
• The morale of the paramilitary personnel is not of the desired level.
• Those who cleared recruitment exams in 2003 but joined the force in 2004 or later are not eligible for pension under the old norms.
• Canteen and medical facilities are dismal.
• Items sold through the Central Police Canteens are not exempted from GST.
• There are notable variations in the ex-gratia amounts given to the next of kin of the police who are killed.
• The Centre and the States need to bring about uniformity in the amount paid.
• Care should be taken to ensure that the next of kin are not deprived of a decent living.
• Payments from the public exchequer need to be made judiciously.

Conclusion

It is high time the government takes note of the grievances of the police and paramilitary personnel and not let their sacrifices go in vain.

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