Chief Minister Hemant Soren on Sunday felicitated at least 80 police personnel with medals at Jharkhand Armed Police (JAP) 1 Ground for exemplary work and lauded the police department for not only maintaining law and order in the state but also doing a commendable job in combating the Covid-19 pandemic.

Hemant awarded three police personnel with the Governor Police Medal, as many as 47 police personnel with the Chief Minister’s Police Medal for gallantry and 30 cops with police medals for meritorious work.

“While the poor and the needy were fed through community kitchens in all police stations of the state, the police, as Corona warriors, carried out their responsibilities well. During this time many policemen were also infected. But they were quick to resume work after recovering from the infection,” said Hemant.

The chief minister also felicitated dependents of six martyrs during a march past ceremony on the occasion of the 20th Statehood Day and assured them the government’s complete support.

“Many brave sons of Jharkhand have laid down their lives while protecting the people of our state. I salute them today, and I assure their dependents that the government will provide all possible support to them,” Hemant said.

Neelamani Devi, widow of Shaheed S. A. Shukra Oraon; Vicky Kumar, son of martyred home guard Jamuna Prasad; Padmini Devi, widow of martyred home guard Satendra Singh; Muni Kumari, widow of Shaheed Shambhu Prasad Singh; Balmuni Gagrai, widow of martyr A. Lakhindra Munda and Sunita Soren, widow of martyr S.D. Chandrai Soren were felicitated and handed over cheques of Rs 25,000.

The Inspector General of Police, Operations, Saket Kumar Singh and two others were awarded the Jharkhand Governor Medal for distinguished service. The 47 policemen, who were awarded Chief Minister’s Gallantry medals, included Nathu Singh Meena, Sub-Divisional Police Officer of Chakradharpur.

Jharkhand Police Medal was awarded to Deputy Inspector General of Police, Akhilesh Kumar Jha, Senior Superintendent of Police M. Tamil Vanan, along with 30 police officers and policemen for meritorious service. Five other police officers who performed well during basic training were also honoured.

Addressing cops from across the state, the chief minister admitted that the Covid-19 pandemic was taking a toll on the world, and Jharkhand was no different. “2020 has been a challenging year for all of us, but I am glad that we all have accepted the challenge and are moving ahead at a steady pace despite the odds,” he said.

Hemant asked cops to remember great freedom fighters of Jharkhand on the birth anniversary of tribal hero Birsa Munda. “The land of Jharkhand has given birth to many brave sons of motherland India. And our state continues to produce brave soldiers who have vowed to protect the country and its people irrespective of the circumstances,” he said.

The chief minister also inaugurated a 24-room IPS guest house at JAP 1 campus and witnessed a march past by jawans of JAP1, JAP2, JAP10, Indian Reserve Battalions (IRB) and Ranchi Police. “Time changes, circumstances also change. And it is our duty to adapt to the situation and strive for success,” he said.