Uttarakhand Becomes 16th State to Receive President’s Police Colour; Amit Shah Honours State Police
Prestigious national recognition acknowledges 25 years of service, discipline and dedication; Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami calls it a historic moment of pride for the state
Dehradun: Uttarakhand Police achieved a historic milestone on Friday as Union Home and Cooperation Minister Amit Shah conferred the prestigious President’s Police Colour on the state police force at a ceremonial event held at the Reserve Police Lines in Dehradun. With this distinction, Uttarakhand has become the 16th state in the country to receive this prestigious honour.
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami was present at the ceremony, during which Amit Shah inspected the police parade and formally honoured Uttarakhand Police with the President’s Police Colour. The recognition acknowledges the force’s 25 years of dedicated service, discipline, professionalism, commitment and outstanding contribution to public safety since the formation of the state.
On the occasion, the Union Home Minister also presented President’s Police Medals to police personnel and officers for distinguished and meritorious service.
Retired Inspector General of Police Narayan Singh Napalchyal and Chief Fire Officer Vansh Bahadur Yadav were honoured for distinguished service. Superintendent of Police Jagdish Chandra, Assistant Commandant Pratima Bhatt and retired Sub-Inspector (Intelligence) Sauhkar Pundir received medals for meritorious service.
A special postal cover and a police magazine were also released jointly by the Union Home Minister and Chief Minister.
Uttarakhand Police Has Earned a Distinct Identity Through Service and Dedication: Amit Shah
Congratulating Uttarakhand Police on receiving the prestigious national distinction, Amit Shah said the achievement was a moment of immense pride for the entire state and every police officer and personnel.
He observed that Uttarakhand Police had established a distinct identity through its commitment to public service, discipline and dedication to duty.
Highlighting Uttarakhand’s spiritual significance, natural beauty and religious heritage, Shah said the state attracts a large number of pilgrims and tourists every year. Ensuring their safety, maintaining law and order, managing traffic during the Char Dham Yatra and successfully handling major religious events such as the Kumbh Mela are among the significant responsibilities shouldered by the state police.
He appreciated the dedication with which police personnel discharge these responsibilities.
The Home Minister also praised Uttarakhand Police for its efforts towards the effective implementation of the three new criminal laws. He said the adoption of modern technology, forensic science and digital systems would accelerate investigations and strengthen judicial processes.
Shah stated that the target was to ensure convictions within three years in cases involving FIRs registered after May 2027. For this purpose, efforts were underway to digitally integrate the police, courts, prosecution agencies and other institutions involved in the criminal justice system.
He said these reforms would help make the justice delivery mechanism faster and more effective, ensuring timely justice for ordinary citizens.
Tribute to 206 Police Personnel Who Made the Supreme Sacrifice
The Union Home Minister paid tribute to 206 Uttarakhand Police personnel who laid down their lives in the line of duty.
He said the Uttarakhand Police force, which began with approximately 13,000 personnel at the time of state formation, has now grown to more than 26,000 personnel.
Despite challenging geographical conditions, natural disasters and a steadily increasing number of tourists, the police force has consistently demonstrated courage, sensitivity and dedication. He particularly appreciated the contribution of police personnel in rescue and relief operations during disasters.
Referring to the Vibrant Villages Programme launched under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi, Shah said the initiative was aimed at promoting development in border areas and addressing migration. Uttarakhand Police also plays an important role in strengthening security and supporting development in these strategically important regions.
He further highlighted the country’s progress in tackling Naxalism and reiterated the government’s commitment to building a drug-free India.
Praising Uttarakhand Police, he appreciated its action against drug trafficking and initiatives to prevent cybercrime. He expressed confidence that the state would achieve further progress towards becoming drug-free.
Shah also congratulated Uttarakhand Police athletes for winning 37 medals at the World Police and Fire Games. He said the President’s Police Colour would boost the morale of the force and motivate its personnel to achieve even higher standards of service.
He also appreciated the development initiatives being undertaken in Uttarakhand under Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami’s leadership, emphasising that strengthening security is equally important alongside development.
President’s Police Colour Adds a New Chapter to Uttarakhand Police History: CM Dhami
Chief Minister Pushkar Singh Dhami congratulated all officers and personnel of Uttarakhand Police on receiving the President’s Police Colour, describing it as national recognition of their courage, discipline, dedication and commitment to public service.
He said the achievement was a matter of pride not only for the police department but also for every citizen of Uttarakhand.
Welcoming Union Home Minister Amit Shah to Devbhoomi Uttarakhand, Dhami said that under the leadership of Prime Minister Narendra Modi and the guidance of the Union Home Minister, India’s internal security framework had become increasingly stronger.
He highlighted effective action against terrorism and Naxalism, the implementation of three new criminal laws and the modernisation of police forces as important steps towards strengthening national security.
The Chief Minister noted that at the time of Uttarakhand’s formation, the state police had approximately 13,000 personnel, 96 police stations and 42 police outposts. Today, more than 26,000 police personnel are serving the state.
He also recalled with pride that the late Kanchan Chaudhary Bhattacharya, the country’s first woman Director General of Police, had led Uttarakhand Police. He added that women’s representation in the state police force had now reached approximately 14 per cent.
Dhami said Uttarakhand Police plays a vital role not only in maintaining law and order but also in managing the Char Dham Yatra, tourism-related activities, traffic, and disaster relief and rescue operations.
Despite the state’s difficult geographical conditions, police officers and personnel continue to discharge their duties with dedication and sensitivity.
More Than 7,000 Arrested Under Drug-Free Devbhoomi Campaign
Highlighting the state government’s campaign against narcotics, Dhami said that under the Drug-Free Devbhoomi initiative, police had arrested more than 7,000 accused persons over the past four years.
During this period, illegal narcotic substances worth more than ₹307 crore had also been seized.
He said Operation Smile was helping reunite missing children with their families, while Operation Mukti was working to bring children engaged in begging into the mainstream education system.
The Chief Minister reiterated the government’s commitment to strengthening law and order and ensuring public safety.
He noted that the state had implemented the Uniform Civil Code (UCC), an anti-conversion law and an anti-riot law. Large-scale action had also been undertaken to remove illegal encroachments from government land.
Focus on Cybercrime Prevention and Police Modernisation
Dhami said the state government was working towards establishing a State Cyber Crime Coordination Centre to strengthen cybercrime prevention and investigation.
The Police Training College at Narendra Nagar was also being developed as a Centre of Excellence.
He said the government was continuously working to make Uttarakhand Police more capable and technologically advanced through modern equipment, improved training, better resources and stronger infrastructure.
Concluding his address, the Chief Minister said the President’s Police Colour was not merely an honour but also a symbol of greater responsibility and commitment towards public service.
He expressed confidence that Uttarakhand Police would continue to strengthen public trust through courage, discipline, sensitivity and dedication.
Former Chief Ministers Bhagat Singh Koshyari, Tirath Singh Rawat and Dr Ramesh Pokhriyal ‘Nishank’, state ministers, Members of Parliament, MLAs, Chief Secretary Anand Bardhan, Director General of Police Deepam Seth, public representatives, senior government and police officials and other dignitaries attended the ceremony.
