New Delhi: Union Home Minister Amit Shah on Wednesday (October 21, 2026) called on police forces across the country to work together to make India drug-free, saying the Ministry of Home Affairs has set a target of freeing the nation from the drug menace by December 31, 2029.
Speaking on the occasion of Police Commemoration Day after paying tribute at the National Police Memorial in New Delhi, Mr. Shah said drug abuse and trafficking undermine the future of coming generations, place an unnecessary burden on the economy, and often provide financial support to organisations with anti-national intentions.
“The country has not yet become completely free of problems, and several challenges remain,” he said.
CAPFs and Internal Security
Mr. Shah said personnel of the Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs) remain vigilant and strengthen the nation’s internal security on every occasion — whether elections, festivals, protests or border security duties.
India succeeded in eliminating electoral violence in Uttar Pradesh and Bihar, but electoral violence continued in West Bengal for a long time, he said. During the recently concluded West Bengal Assembly election, security personnel achieved significant success by ensuring that polling was completed without a single fatality. “In doing so, the CAPFs established a new benchmark and the entire country now recognises that electoral violence has been brought to an end in the country,” the Minister said.
He said there were numerous examples across the country of police personnel demonstrating extraordinary patience, restraint, discipline, courage and dedication, thereby strengthening the nation’s internal security.
‘Freedom From Naxalism’
“For the Indian police, 2026 is an extremely significant year,” Mr. Shah said. “On March 31, 2026 the country achieved freedom from Naxalism, which had plagued India for decades. From 1981 to March 2026, the country endured numerous hardships due to Naxalism. During this period, many brave security personnel and innocent civilians lost their lives. More than 36,000 security personnel were martyred, and nearly 13,700 innocent civilians also lost their lives.”
Remembering Hot Springs
Recalling the history of Police Commemoration Day, Mr. Shah said that on October 21, 1959, in the remote and inhospitable Hot Springs region of Ladakh, 10 CRPF personnel laid down their lives while bravely resisting an attack by Chinese troops.
“A study of the Hot Springs incident made it clear that when the battle was decided in the high-altitude mountains, the outcome was almost certain. Yet, these immortal heroes remained steadfast in their resolve that not even an inch of the country’s land should fall into foreign hands, making the supreme sacrifice in the line of duty. Since then, October 21 has been observed every year as Police Commemoration Day,” he said.
36,852 Martyred Since Independence
The ceremony was attended by Union Home Secretary Govind Mohan; Director of the Intelligence Bureau Mahesh Dixit; Director General of the Indo-Tibetan Border Police Shatrujeet Kapoor; Director General of the Border Security Force Praveen Kumar; and the D-Gs of other CAPFs.
Mr. Dixit said that post-Independence, 36,852 security personnel had laid down their lives in the line of duty.
