Sikkim Police Quasquicentennial Year celebrations conclude

Despite challenges, Sikkim Police have always been impartial: CM
GANGTOK, (IPR): The 126th Raising Day of Sikkim Police and the concluding ceremony of Sikkim Police Quasquicentennial Year to commemorate 125 years of dedicated service and to honour the virtue of commitment to public service as exemplified by Sikkim Police was successfully organised at Paljor Stadium today, amid the glare of a large gathering present to witness the sequence of exciting events during the programme.
Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang graced the occasion as the chief guest of the ceremony.
After a grand reception and guard of honour, the Chief Minister received the National Salute and inspected the 126th Raising Day Parade of Sikkim Police at Paljor Stadium, Gangtok. The parade comprised eight platoons, a Bikers platoon, and Sikkim Police Pipe Band and Brass Band.
Addressing the gathering, Chief Minister Prem Singh Tamang extended his hearty congratulations to the entire police fraternity of Sikkim on completing the 125th year of establishing Sikkim Police. He commended the role of Sikkim Police in maintaining law and order in the State and keeping the safety and security of Sikkim intact.
In his speech, the Chief Minister lauded the efforts made by Sikkim Police, which had its inception in1897 at Aritar in East Sikkim with one head constable and five other constables who established the police force finally in Sikkim. Sikkim Police, which started with six members 125 years ago, is now a strong team with more than seven thousand police personnel, he added.
He recalled how the department of Police has reformed itself with the changing times and now has become a force of more than seven thousand personnel who serve under different branches, which include Headquarters, Crime Branch, Reserve Lines, Communication, Intelligence, Training, Home Guards, and Civil Defence, Indian Reserve Battalion and Sikkim Armed Police along with the establishment at 6 districts, sub-divisions and outposts.
He informed that the present classification of designation in Sikkim Police consists of one DGP, DGP 2 Special Branch, ADGP 2, IG 7, DIG 6, Senior SP 5, SP 19, ASP 25, DSP 41, Inspector 80, Sub Inspector 171, ASI 461 with other rank officers numbers almost up to 5457 along with more than one thousand home guards and nearly 750 village guards.
The Chief Minister reminded that it is the responsibility of the police force always to protect and maintain the State's rule of law, check crime, and punish offenders for wrongs committed. He also mentioned that the police are responsible for civil defence and safeguarding human rights.
Similarly, he reminded that the police also have the onus of supervising traffic management and applauded the efforts made by Sikkim Police for diligently accomplishing their duty. Despite the challenges and criticism they generally face, Sikkim Police has always been impartial, fair, brave, and immaculate in every decision they have endorsed and sanctioned, said the Chief Minister.
He said that there is no mediation from the government in the work executed by Sikkim Police because the present government believes in the Rule of Law.
The Chief Minister requested Sikkim Police to consistently perform their duty under the framework of the Indian Constitution sincerely and with utmost efficiency always to protect law and order. He announced that to honour the service of police personnel working outside the State, the government has increased the ration allowance from Rs 2000 to Rs 3000. Similarly, there has also been an increase in house rent from the existing 16% to 24%, it was informed. Likewise, the Children's Education allowance will also be raised with a hike from Rs 18000 to Rs 30000, assured the Chief Minister.
The Chief Minister also mentioned that infrastructure development and growth with the modernisation of the IRBn camp based at Wazirabad in Delhi is underway and will be completed soon. He lauded the service of Sikkim Police personnel for having a respectable image in other States of the country, for serving with utmost dedication to duty, and for creating a picture of a competent and efficient police force that performs the best under all circumstances.
Tamang mentioned that the State is committed to building a robust police station at Namchi and Gyalshing. He also mentioned about the Sikkim Police Memorial to be set up soon. The Chief Minister said that every police outpost or police station would have police quarters for their staff and families.
He briefed about the emergency response dial system for the public, with a 24/7 helpline number of 112, for Police, hospital, and fire services. He said the new fire station is also being constructed at Soreng.
The Chief Minister further mentioned that 178 home guards have been regularised after completing their eight years of service at different police establishments in the State. Additionally, 175 followers who are engaged in menial service at police establishments will also be granted promotion to the rank of constable after completing eight years of service, for which he directed the Police department and Department of Personnel to conduct the regularisation process accordingly.
He appreciated the contributions of Sikkim Police for their dedication to duty. He reminded that Pakyong Police Station was listed in the 7th position in the top 10 best-performing police stations across the country for the year 2020. In the year 2022, Temi Police Station was recognized as the best performing police station, for which the Chief Minister congratulated the SHOs of Pakyong and Temi Police Station for their outstanding mobilization of the force for the benefit of citizens. He informed that the outposts in Yangyang and Yuksom have been upgraded to a police station with a new police station established at Dhupi Dara in Gyalshing.
The Chief Minister said that the State government has also granted promotions up to the IGP level to police officers so that they serve their duties more efficiently. A special investigation fund and traffic management fund have been created as well, he added.
He concluded his address by applauding the contributions of the entire Police department on the Quasquicentennial Day, which commenced from the Aley Ground, Namchi. He said that the Quasquicentennial Celebrations would continue every year to preserve the legacy of the Sikkim Police. He expressed gratitude to the Police department for organising numerous activities in the State and urged them to continue to serve the citizens equitably. Lastly, he asked SHOs to be more vigilant and take stock of their respective areas.  
During the event, the Chief Minister felicitated four Police personnel with the Chief Minister's Meritorious Award. They were ASI Purna Kumar Subba, HC Drv Nimtook Lepcha, PI Nirmal Rai and PI Dawa Lhamu Pakhrin.
Praveen Gurung, DIG, Special Branch, presented a brief yearly report regarding various achievements made by Sikkim Police. He also mentioned multiple events oraganised to commemorate the quasquicentennial celebration ceremony, which was celebrated throughout the year.
DGP A. Sudhakar Rao, in his welcome address, expressed his gratitude to all the dignitaries for their presence during the 126th Raising Day of Sikkim Police and the concluding ceremony of Sikkim Police Quasquicentennial Year to commemorate 125 years of service dedicated to community policing. He informed that law and order and the investigation services have been separated under the State government, for which the Home department has issued notification.
Also, during the programme, the Chief Minister was presented with a Sikkim Police memento by the Director General of Police, Sikkim.
Earlier, a study report on Gangtok Traffic was submitted by the SMIT. Likewise, a Report on Discipline on Reforms in Sikkim Police was submitted to the Chief Minister by the Police department.
A Sikkim Police Coffee Table book prepared for the occasion of the Quasquicentennial Year was also released by the Chief Minister.
The event also had the orchestra performance on melodies of the mountains and unarmed combat display by Sikkim Police. A silent drill was performed by the IRBn, followed by a group dance by Reserve Lines Women Police.
Similarly, a mock drill was performed by the SDRF team.