343 cops lost their lives during India's battle against COVID-19: Shah

Addressing the Police Commemoration Day Parade at National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Union Home Minister Amit Shah said that 343 police personnel lost their lives while serving the nation during India's fight against COVID-19.

New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday paid tribute to the police personnel who lost their lives in the line of duty at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, and stated that as many as 343 police personnel lost their lives during the nation's battle against Covid-19.

"I want to tell the families of the policemen that this is not just a monument made of brick and stone. Every drop of their blood has taken the country on the path of development. If the country is sleeping peacefully, it is because of your family members," Shah said while addressing the Police Commemoration Day Parade at National Police Memorial.

"The world is facing the Coronavirus crisis for the first time. It is the policeman who were at the frontline at the time of the COVID outbreak and fought against it. The entire country, including the Prime Minister, appreciated the policemen," he added.

Shah informed that so far, 35,398 police personnel have lost their lives in the line of duty, 343 of which died during India's battle against Covid-19.

Further, the Union Home Minister said that the Bharatiya Janta Party (BJP) fulfilled its commitment towards creating a National Police Memorial. "The venue will serve as an inspiration for future generations of India and commemorate the tales of bravery of India's police forces," he added.

Shah said that the challenges of policemen have increased considerably and the Home Ministry is working towards a technology-oriented police force to protect the country.

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