Independence Day: 17 cops from Odisha awarded Police Medals

As many as 17 police officers from Odisha have been selected for the police medals on the occasion of the 77th Independence Day.

According to the Ministry of Home Affairs, four police officers have been nominated for Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG), while two others have been conferred President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service. Similarly, 11 officers from Odisha were awarded Medals for Meritorious Service.

A total of 954 Police personnel from across the country have been awarded Police Medals on the occasion of Independence Day, 2023. 

President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) has been awarded to one CRPF personnel, Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) has been awarded to 229, President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) awarded to 82 and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) has been awarded to 642.

Among the majority of the 230 Gallantry Awards, 125 personnel from Left Wing Extremism affected areas, 71 personnel from Jammu and Kashmir region and 11 personnel from North East region are being awarded for their gallant action. 

Among the personnel receiving Gallantry Awards, 28 are from CRPF, 33 are from Maharashtra, 55 are from J&K Police, 24 are from Chhattisgarh, 22 are from Telangana and 18 are from Andhra Pradesh the remaining from the other States/UTs and CAPFs. 
President’s Police Medal for Gallantry (PPMG) and Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) is awarded on the ground of Conspicuous Gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. 

President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) is awarded for special distinguished record in Police Service and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) is awarded for valuable service characterized by resource and devotion to duty.

List of Odisha Police Officers selected for Police Medal

Police Medal for Gallantry

1. Prahalad Himirika-Subedar
2. Santosh Kumar Guru-SI
3. Suneel Kumar Bariha- Commando
4. Sujit Kumar Rana- CT

Police Medal for Distinguished Service

1. Sanjay Kumar- ADGP 
2. Rabindra Nath Satpathy- Additional Superintendent of Police

Medal for Meritorious Service

1. Dr. Deepak Kumar, I.G. Of Police, Northern Range, Sambalpur
2. Ananta Charan Pati, Addl. Supdt. Of Police, Bhubaneswar 
3. Benudhar Nayak, Addl. Supdt. Of Police, Cuttack
4. Rajib Lochan Panda, SDPO, Berhampur Town, Berhampur
5. Amita Tripathy, DSP Vigilance, Bhubaneswar Division
6. Krushna Chandra Mohanta, CI Havildar Of Police
7. Peter Tirkey, Constable, Police Reserve Office, Deogarh
8. Gupta Prasad Mohanty, Asst. Sub Inspector Of Police, Khordha
9. Dilip Kumar Nayak, Sub Inspector Of Police (Armed), Sambalpur
10. Susanta Kumar Majhi, Constable, Bhubaneswar
11. Umakanta Pradhan, Inspector Of Police, Bhubaneswar, Khordha