CM Yogi Confers Gallantry Medals on 26 UP Police Officers, Honors Family of Martyred STF Hero
In an official state ceremony held at Lok Bhavan in Lucknow on Thursday, Uttar Pradesh Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath decorated 26 police officers and frontline personnel with prestigious gallantry medals for displaying exceptional bravery, operational competence, and devotion to duty. Acknowledging their commitment to establishing the rule of law across sensitive districts, the Chief Minister confirmed that each recipient will receive an official citation alongside an ongoing monthly financial incentive of ₹1,000. During the event, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath also officially released the book "Sangharsh," authored by former Uttar Pradesh Director General of Police (DGP) Prakash Singh, documenting structural milestones and global insights into modern police reforms.
Supreme Sacrifice: Martyred STF Inspector Sunil Kumar Honored Posthumously
Paying solemn homage to law enforcement heroes who laid down their lives in the line of duty, Chief Minister Yogi Adityanath presented financial assistance and a ceremonial shawl to Munesh Devi, the widow of martyred STF Inspector Sunil Kumar. Inspector Kumar exhibited unmatched valor on January 20, 2025, leading an operation in the Jhinjhana area of Shamli where four hardened criminals were eliminated in a fierce encounter, during which he made the supreme sacrifice. Marking the nation's gratitude for his courage, the government confirmed that Inspector Sunil Kumar would be posthumously conferred the prestigious Kirti Chakra on Independence Day 2026.
Full Roll of Honor: Distinguished Officers Recognized for Bravery
The primary honors list featured leading administrative and operational officers who spearheaded high-risk anti-crime initiatives across the state. Among the decorated officers were Devdutt Singh, Rajan Kumar, and Ritul Kumar Verma (Constables, Civil Police, STF); Nipun Agarwal, IPS (Commandant, 9th Battalion PAC, Moradabad); Swatantra Kumar Singh (Additional Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissionerate Gautam Buddh Nagar); Munne Singh (Sub-Inspector, Civil Police, Meerut); and Neeraj Kumar Pal (Constable, Civil Police, Commissionerate Ghaziabad). The list also commended senior district supervisors including Ashok Kumar Meena, IPS (Superintendent of Police, Hardoi); Kuldeep Kumar (Deputy Superintendent of Police, Sambhal); Geetesh Kapil (Inspector, Civil Police, Shahjahanpur); Praveen Ahlawat (Constable, Civil Police, Saharanpur); Amit (Inspector, Civil Police, STF); Angad Singh Yadav (Sub-Inspector, Civil Police, STF); Dr. Diksha Sharma (Deputy Commissioner of Police, Commissionerate Lucknow); Sandeep Kumar (Constable, Civil Police, Commissionerate Ghaziabad); and Inspector Ripudaman Singh.
Republic Day 2026 Gallantry Medal Recipients Formally Decorated
The state ceremony formally bestowed the gallantry decorations earlier designated on Republic Day 2026 to ten frontline enforcement specialists. This cohort comprised Bulandshahr Inspector Dharmendra Singh Rathore; STF Sub-Inspector Keshav Shandilya; STF Head Constable Rahul Kumar; Mathura Sub-Inspector Ajay Kumar Verma; STF Inspector Ghanshyam Yadav; Mainpuri Sub-Inspector Avneesh Kumar Tyagi; STF Constable Amit Tripathi; STF Inspector Amit; Ghaziabad Inspector Manish Bisht; and STF Head Constable Randhir Singh. The collective honors reflect the administration's active resolve to back its frontline forces, strengthen operational morale, and uphold zero-tolerance security standards statewide.
