ITBP working in extreme conditions on mountainous borders of nation: MoS Reddy
TNN Bureau. Updated: 10/24/2020 3:32:33 PM
National
New Delhi, Oct24: The Minister of State for Home Affairs G Kishan Reddy on Saturday said the Indo-Tibetan Border Police (ITBP) is working with zeal and high order of professionalism in the uncongenial and extreme conditions on the mountainous borders of the nation.
Speaking at the 59th Raising Day, Mr Reddy specifically emphasized specifically on the selfless service rendered by the ITBP in various efforts to fight the spread of Covid19 in the country from establishing the first ever quarantine centre in Chhawla to maintaining the world’s largest Covid Care Centre and Hospital, Chhatarpur, New Delhi.
On the occasion, the President’s Police Medals for Distinguished Service and Police Medals for Meritorious Service were conferred to many ITBP personnel by the Minister.
‘Best Battalion’ in various categories of the Force were awarded on the occasion. 10th Battalion was awarded with the Best Border Battalion trophy, 26th Battalion was awarded with the Best Non Border Battalion trophy, 53rd Battalion was awarded with the Best Anti Naxal Operations (ANO) Battalion trophy, and 36th Battalion was awarded with the Best Green Battalion trophy while 41st Battalion was awarded with the Swachhta Trophy.
Constable P H Sonia Devi was awarded with the Best Sports person of the Year 2020 trophy. The best training centre trophy was awarded to RTC Karera and Shivagangai jointly, the ITBP officials said.
An ITBP Annual Special Souvenir containing highlights of the achievements of the Force during the year and a book ‘Devbhoomi Uttarakhand’ incorporating brief information regarding spiritual and religious places, tourist places, institutions, temples etc of Uttarakhand were also released by the Chief Guest on this occasion as e-publications.
Earlier, Mr Reddy took salute of the ITBP contingent as the Chief Guest and also laid wreath at the ITBP martyrs memorial while ITBP Director General SS Deshwal elaborated upon various achievements of the Force over the years.
Raised 24 October, 1962 during India-China war, the ITBP primarily guards 3,488 KMs long borders in the Himalayas at the Border Out Posts (BOPs)located at altitudes ranging from 3,000 to 18,800 ft. Apart from border guarding, the Force is also deployed for Anti Naxal operations and other internal security duties.
The ceremony was organized following the COVID19 protocols and there were no customary march pasts or demonstrations in the parade this year.