STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: In recognition of the exceptional service to the state during the past 25 years, Union Home Minister Amit Shah presented the President's Colour Award to Assam Police at a function at Nehru Stadium here today in the presence of Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma.
Assam became the 10th state in the country, including Union Territory Delhi to have received the honour for exemplary performance in tackling insurgency, cross-border infiltration, controlling crime of different manifestations, maintaining law and order and ensuring safety and security to all sections of the people of the state.
Speaking at the programme, Union Home Minister Shah said, "On this historic occasion, as the Union Home Minister, I am proud that Assam Police are the country's tenth police force to receive this honour. Receiving the President's Colours is an extraordinary achievement for any police organization, and today the Assam Police have registered their name in this proud club. It is a matter of great pride for Assam."
Remembering the rich and proud history of about 200 years of Assam Police, Shah said, "In 1826, the British started this police force by appointing some policemen at a district headquarters. The Assam Police also have the distinction of giving genesis to the country's oldest anti-militant force, the Assam Rifles. At the time of Independence, the strength of Assam Police was 8,000, which has increased to more than 70,000 today."
Shah said that the Assam Police fought many battles for national integration. Facing the challenges of the era of horrors of Partition to communal riots, the refugee problem, seven decades of infiltration, the glorious journey of the Bangladesh Liberation War in 1971 and the challenge of insurgency till 1980-90, defeating ill motives of foreign powers, the Assam Police have the distinction of coming out victorious. The Assam Police have fought hard with many banned organizations and worked to strengthen the borders and internal security. "Under the Unified Command, the Assam Police also served as a synergy to the Indian Army in Operation Bajrang and Operation Rhino. At the same time, the Assam Police fought a tireless and victorious battle for seven decades against arms, cow and drugs smuggling and human trafficking. I want to congratulate right from the DGP to the youngest constable on behalf of the nation," Shah said.
Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma said, "The morale, grit and determination of the last personnel of the Assam Police on the ground enabled the force to earn this unique distinction. It is this spirit that the force marched ahead in its path of peace building".
The Chief Minister also said, "The award manifests the undying resolve of Assam Police for which peace has descended on Assam. The state is making steady progress under the visionary leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and Union Home Minister Amit Shah. The Assam Police personnel are contributing to the development initiatives of the state. Moreover, Assam Police have been equally efficient in controlling militancy, acting against drug menace and all other forms of crime in the state."
Sarma said that in the last year, acting against drugs, Assam Police registered 2,834 cases, arresting 4,838 persons accused of drugs peddling and confiscating drugs worth Rs 550 crore. He also hailed the Assam Police for adopting 'zero-tolerance' against human and cattle traffickers.
The Chief Minister said, "The State government is committed to providing an enriching environment for the physical and mental health of every personnel."
DGP Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta and other top officials of the State Police force were present at the programme.
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