Acts of bravery are not only made only on the borders, with the soldiers struggling might and main to protect the nation's security from evil doers. Sons of the soil have on various occasions sometimes have laid down their lives to protect a civilian, a city, a village or just to nab a notorious criminal in a bid to curb his wrong doings. The Government of Maharashtra will on Tuesday, August 25 recall the martyrdom of such national heroes and suitably honour the bravehearts for their brave acts.
Bravehearts will receive medals for their bravery this month at the Raj Bhavan. Among them will be some who laid down their life in the line of duty. While some who have set superb examples in the country with their courageous acts for state and country.
On-duty martyrdom of a police official
One such story of martyrdom, that many can only imagine and is non fiction, A Martyred Police Head Constable Dewangan Pardeshi who was martyred while fighting Naxals in Gadhchiroli on Aug. 19, 2011.
The historic encounter lasted for over 10 hours, It was about 8 in the morning when the police party from the Potegaon post in Gadhchiroli reached a village near the Makadchuha jungle. As the police party reached the location that at first looked deserted it saw continuous firing on the battalion.
On receiving specific inputs that the Makadchuha jungles were turning into hideouts of the Naxalites and as many as 25 Maoists were hiding here, the police party reached the spot. In retaliation to the firing on the police party, the police team too responded by firing back on the camouflaged Maoists in the jungle. In the process an official namely Chandunath was injured after a bullet penetrated his leg.
However without fearing for his life Dewangan immediately retaliated and provided cover to Chandunath, hence saving his life. Dewangan, while combating fearlessly faced the firing from the Maoists until the brave police constable injured two senior Naxalites. Dewangan played a major role until he was hit by a cartridge in the chest. Dewangan fought until his last breath and laid down his life in the line of duty towards the country. Sureley a clear act of bravery for which in 2014 Dewangan's widow Laxmi Pardesh Dewangan on his behalf received the President's Police Medal for Gallantry.
Cobra ‘206 Battalion’s Braveheart
While the combat operations against the Maoists were on and the firing had been unstoppable for quite a while,the Cobra 206 battalion was called in. The battalion had several brave police officials including Vittal Shankar Pawar, Pawar is at present posted at Kothrud police station in Pune city and will be receiving the medal for his bravery.
Pawar with others of the Cobra 206 battalion reached the site that was echoed loudly with gun shots. The battalion reached in a helicopter, on learning about the injured Chandunath, Pawar rapidly firing on the Naxals rescued injured Chandunath and safely helped him reach the medical camp located nearest to the battle ground. In the rescue process Pawar was too hit in the leg by a bullet fired by the Maoists. Pawar’s splendid act of bravery saw him receive a Police Medal for Gallantry in 2014 and his bravery will be recalled on August 25 in presence of several officials at the Raj Bhavan.
While speaking with ADC, Vittal Pawar said, “Its a great honor, The police department had showed trust in me. I was posted in the Naxal dominated area, that encounter was remarkable. My act was established which is a great honor for me, my seniors and family.”
Police Constable who dramatically nabbed notorious criminal
Abubaker Abdulgani Shaikh, a police naik posted at Kolhapur nabbed a notorious criminal identified as Rajendra Babar, Babar had as many as 84 serious criminal cases against him. Originally from the Satara district, Babar along with his accopliance had created tremendous fear in the Satara-Akola-Kolhapur belt. A known dacoit Babar in early February 2011 was identified as the mastermind of a dacoity of a Volkswagen showroom in Kolhapur district.
A Volkswagen Jetta car and Rs. 2 lakhs in cash was looted from the showroom. The Kolhapur police received a tip off that Babar along with his other accomplince was spoted near the Akola naka. A team from the Kolhapur police comprising Abubaker Shaikh, Ravindra Nulle, Jaykumar Dhende and Uday Satam were deputed to the spot. The stolen Volkswagen Jetta was identified and as it was about to leave the spot, the car was asked to stop. One of the police official from the team waved his hand, a signal to halt the car. The driver in the car instead of stopping raced the car which raised suspicions that the driver was trying to flee from the current location.
As the driver of the car reached closer to the police team, he opened fire with a pistol on the four officials of the Maharashtra police. With thoughts in mind to not give him another chance to commit yet another serious crime Shaikh got into the car and nabbed him. For this brave action, Shaikh too is in the list for being awarded on August 25.
While gun shots were fired the Police constable stopped the wanted criminal
Ravindra Yalgonda Nulle's uniform will too be decorated for making the police department proud of how he dealt with the serious crime of a notorious history sheeter.
While criminal Babar thought that his gun shots will create fear and a situation of panic among the four brave police officials of Maharashtra, he was proven wrong when Nulle, rather backing off chased his car and jumped on it. Babar's firing immediately came to an end after Nulle pounced on the car that led to forcing Babar to stop the car. By now Shaikh and Nulle had got hold of Babar and he was brought out of the car. While conducting searches in the car the officials found a pistol, a knife and Rs.49,000 in the car. The car was seized and Babar was arrested.
Nulle and Shaikh have been awarded with the President's medals and their bravery will once again be recalled this week.
The President's Medal
The President's Police Medal is a decoration awarded to members of law enforcement agencies in the country, the medal was originally called the President's Police and Fire Service Medal. The medal is awarded for either gallantry or distinguished service, with the gallantry version of the medal being accorded a higher precedence. The medal is awarded annually.