Sher-i-Kashmir police medals nixed?

JAMMU: Even as the action in the counter-terrorism grid of Jammu and Kashmir fetched central security forces maximum gallantry medals amongst the decorations announced by the government and the Armed Forces on the eve of the Independence Day this year, conspicuous by their absence were prestigious Sher-i-Kashmir police medals for gallantry and meritorious service, which were given a miss by the Governor’s administration this year, fuelling speculations if the honours for the Jammu and Kashmir Police personnel have indeed been nixed.
The Sher-i-Kashmir police medals for gallantry and Sher-i-Kashmir police medals for meritorious service are announced by state government twice every year on the occasion of Republic Day and Independence Day to be conferred upon the Jammu and Kashmir Police cops.
Besides these, Chief Minister’s Gold medal and Chief Minister’s Vigilance Medals-- given for honesty, integrity, meritorious public services and for displaying conspicuous courage in exposing corruption or creating awareness against corrupt practices were also given a miss.
The sudden disappearance of these medals has, however, set the tongues wagering in official circles. While some have opined that the state medals have been vanquished with the turning of Jammu and Kashmir State into Union Territory, others asserted that government did not get time to prepare the list of state medals due to the law and order problems being faced by it post scrapping of article 370 and 35A.
Meanwhile a senior most officer in police department expressed his ignorance about what exactly happened this year regarding state medals.
“I did not find the list of state medals even though the names for the same were recommended as has been the case every year,” said the officer, wishing not to be quoted.
On Republic Day 2019, 153 cops of the Jammu and Kashmir Police were conferred with Sher-i-Kashmir police medals for gallantry and meritorious service, same as Independence Day 2018, while 61 police personnel received these honours on Republic Day 2018. In 2017, 25 cops were awarded with these medals on the occasion of Republic Day while 64 cops were rewarded on the eve of Independence Day.
With recent times having been one of the most difficult for the police, the men in uniform might be a little disappointed but the spirit to serve the state and the country remains unaffected.
It may be mentioned here that a total of 76 personnel from State Police were conferred with various medals by Government of India this 15 August which included one President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG), 60 Police Medals for Gallantry (PMG), and 15 Police Medals for Meritorious Service; while it won—for the first time-- three Shaurya Chakras.

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