Gangtok, Nov 27 (IPR): The 123rd Raising Day Celebration of Sikkim Police was held at the Sikkim Armed Police ground, Pangthang, East Sikkim, today. Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang (Golay) graced the occasion as the Chief Guest.

After a grand reception and guard of honour, the Chief Minister received the National Salute and inspected the 123rd Raising Day Parade of Sikkim Police at the SAP Ground. The Parade comprised of eight platoons, along with Sikkim Police Pipe Band and Brass Band.

On the stage, the Chief Minister was warmly welcomed with floral bouquet and Sikkim Police Memento presented by Director General of Police, Sikkim, Shri. A. Shankar Rao.

Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang in his address extended his hearty congratulations to the entire police fraternity of Sikkim on the completion of 122 years of establishment of 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. He added that the police have rendered their valuable service to maintain peace and tranquility in the State and have thus facilitated a conducive environment for development.

The Chief Minister reminded that Sikkim Police will be celebrating its 125th foundation day in the year 2021, which he said was a matter of great pride for the police fraternity and the people of Sikkim. He assured that all pending demands and requirements of Sikkim Police would be taken up in a phased manner. He said that the Government is committed to fulfilling all the pending demands of the Police Department, for the upliftment of the police force working in various posts.

The Chief Minister congratulated the Police Department for producing Shri Lok Nath Sharma who has risen from a simple berth in the Police to the post of a Cabinet Minister in the Government today. He said that he has always had huge respect for the police mainly because of their dutifulness, sincerity and their sacrifices for the safety and security of a place and its people, and for preserving unity and integrity. He said that dedication and discipline can help one climb up the professional ladder and even reach special posts and positions in the Government.

During his address, the Chief Minister made some key announcements for the upliftment of the police force in the State:

1. Home Guards will be regularized after completing eight years of service. Presently, they are being regularized only after completion of fifteen years.
2. The Ration Allowance of Police officers and staff on active deployment in other States or in other companies will be enhanced to Rs. 2900 per month from the existing Rs. 1300.
3. Proposal to provide increment upon each promotion to the lower rung of Police right from Constable rank is being contemplated upon by the Government.
4. The Government will not hesitate to grant out of turn promotion to officers and staff of Sikkim Police who render outstanding service to the State in difficult situations or during emergencies. This will be a reward or incentive for their bravery and diligence.
5. Followers, who are engaged in menial works in police establishments, will also be granted promotion to the rank of Constable after completion of eight years of service.
6. Police Outposts will be upgraded.
7. Police quarters will be developed. Every Police Outpost or Police Station will have Police Quarters for police officers and staff and their families.
8. The Chief Minister made an in-principal sanction for upgradation/concretization of the SAP parade ground. He announced that the fund will be allocated in the budget session in March 2020.
9. A special team of Sikkim Police will be constituted to tackle the growing menace of Drug Abuse in the State. He further announced special incentives for extraordinary work in this area.

The Chief Minister in his address said that the Government is committed to make Sikkim Police a smart police force. He concluded his address by congratulating the entire police fraternity for today’s historic programme and urged them to give continuity to the rich legacy of Sikkim Police.

Earlier, Minister Shri. Lok Nath Sharma in his address termed the day as historic as it marked the completion of 122 years of the formation of Sikkim Police, and for the special presence of Chief Minister Shri. Prem Singh Tamang as the chief guest. The Minister expressed his gratitude to Sikkim Police where he served for 21 years and 6 months, before taking voluntary retirement to enter into active politics. He expressed gratitude for the training and the numerous platforms provided by his seniors in the Police force. He attributed his success to the lessons on discipline and dedication he received during his days in the Sikkim Armed Police. He thanked the Chief Minister for instilling faith in him and for elevating him to the post of Cabinet Minister. He added that this gesture was a mark of respect for the entire police fraternity in the State.

The programme also saw performances from Sikkim Police Pipe Band and Sikkim police Brass Band. The audience was treated to the popular tune of “Jahan Bagcha Teesta Rangit” by Sikkim Police Brass Band, while the Sikkim Police Pipe Band presented a rhythmic band display.

The programme was compered by SP, South, Shri. Prawin Gurung, who also placed various issues and challenges of Sikkim Police before the Chief Minister, and also shared a brief history of Sikkim Police since its formation.

The first Sikkim Police Out Post was set up on November 27, 1897 at Aritar village in Rhenock in the eastern border of the State, with a strength of one Havildar and 4 Constables with the expressed mandate to maintain security and peace on the thriving trade route to Tibet through the Jelepla Pass. The force was set up on the authority of a resolution passed by the King of Sikkim in the council. The day thus marked the birth of Sikkim Police.

Today, Sikkim Police has a strength of over 6000 police personnel serving in different branches under the establishment namely Headquarters, Crime Branch, Reserve Lines, Communication, Intelligence, Training, Home Guards and Civil Defense, India Reserve Battalion, and Sikkim Armed Police, along with the establishments at District, Sub-Divisions and outposts.

The programme had the special presence of Cabinet Ministers namely Shri Sonam Lama, Shri Samdup Lepcha, Shri. Lok Nath Sharma, Shri. B.S. Panth, Shri. M.N. Sherpa, Shri. Bhim Hang Limboo, Shri. Karma Loday, Shri. Sanjit Kharel, and Political Secretary to HCM Shri. Jacob Khaling,

The programme also had the presence and participation of Director General of Police Shri. A. Shankar Rao, Principal Secretary Health, Shri. K. Shrinivasulu, Secretary RDD Shri. C.S. Rao, Secretary Culture, Smt. Vidhya Subba, and senior officers of Sikkim Police.

The day’s programme came to an end with the vote of thanks proposed by SP, Reserve Lines, Shri. Pratap Pradhan.