National Police Commemoration Day: Kahilipara Lakshmi Primary School named after Lohit Sonowal

STAFF REPORTER

GUWAHATI: On the occasion of the National Police Commemoration Day on Thursday, Kahilipara Lakshmi Primary School was rechristened as Swahid Lohit Sonowal Memorial Primary School in memory of Lohit Sonowal.

Inspector Lohit Sonowal laid down his life at Kordoiguri No 1 under Baghjan police station in Tinsukia district on April 19, 2013 in an encounter with ULFA militants in which two extremists were also killed.

Sonowal has been conferred with the 'Kirti Chakra' posthumously for displaying indomitable courage and exemplary leadership in fighting ULFA militants,

Chief Secretary Jishnu Baruah along with Director General of Police (DGP) Bhaskar Jyoti Mahanta announced this new nomenclature in a function held at 4th APBN here.

In his address, the Chief Secretary recalled the contribution and patriotism of Sonowal and said that the state government has decided to provide Rs 50 lakh as ex-gratia to the next of kin of those army and paramilitary personnel who are from Assam and killed in the cause of national importance.

The same has been extended to state's home guard and VDP personnel, Baruah said.

The chief Secretary also appreciated the steps taken by the Assam Police to commemorate the slain personnel.

State Home Secretary Niraj Verma and Special DGP (T&AP) LR Bishnoi and Commandant of 4 APBN Indrani Barua were also present on the occasion.

Sonowal's widow Pratibha Sonowal was also present in the function.

A plantation drive was taken out in the campus of the school on the occasion.

By commemorating a 'Smriti Parade' Assam Police paid their tributes as remembering police personnel's sacrifices for the country.

The National Police Commemoration Day is observed every year to honour police personnel who have given their lives while conducting their duties. The day is marked in honour of 10 police personnel who were killed while protecting the Indo-China border in Ladakh on October 21, 1959, battling heroically against armed Chinese soldiers. The bodies of the martyred policemen were handed over to India by Chinese troops on November 28, 1959.

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