New Delhi: The Union Home Ministry on Wednesday announced the names of 901 police personnel to be awarded Police Medals on the occasion of Republic Day. The Police Medal for Gallantry (PMG) has been awarded to 140, the President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service (PPM) to 93 and Police Medal for Meritorious Service (PM) has been awarded to 668 cops.

Vijay Kumar, a 1997 Batch IPS, currently serving as ADGP, Jammu & Kashmir Police, has been awarded the President’s Police Medal for his ‘distinguished services.’ The President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service is the highest service medal for police and CAPFs. It is awarded for long and distinguished service to individuals who have served at least 25 years in the State/Central Police or in security organisations.

Among the personnel receiving the Gallantry medals, the CRPF bagged the most with 48 PMGs while Maharashtra bags 31, 25 are from Jammu & Kashmir Police, nine are from Jharkhand, and seven are each from Delhi, Chhattisgarh Police and the BSF and the remaining are from the other States/UTs and CAPFs.

According to an official statement, among the majority of the 140 Gallantry Awards, 80 personnel from Left Wing extremism affected areas and 45 personnel from Jammu & Kashmir region are being awarded for their gallant action.

The Police Medal for Gallantry is awarded on the grounds of Conspicuous Gallantry in saving life and property, or in preventing crime or arresting criminals. The President's Police Medal for Distinguished Service is awarded for a special distinguished record in Police Service and the Police Medal for Meritorious Service is awarded for valuable service characterized by resource and devotion to duty.

The President’s Police Medal for Distinguished Service has been conferred to Raja Ram, Principal Chief Security Commissioner, and South Central Railway. /BI/