Hot Springs

HOT SPRINGSTHE PILGRIMAGE OF THE INDIAN POLICE FORCES

Introduction
21st October, observed as Martyr’s day in entire Police Forces of India.
But where does the root lie?
And what does make it very special?
What is its relevance in today’s context?

HOT SPRINGS
Ladakh, Aksai Chin
One of the two main border disputes between India and China
Aksai Chin (the name literally means "white (ak) brook (sai) pass (chin)“
TOPOGRAPHY
Largely a vast high-altitude desert including some saltlakes
4,681 meters above the sea level
Snow covered uninhabitable
Temperature goes up to- 41 degrees Celsius

Background

China treated india’s concerns with tibet as expansionist.
Top chinese leaders were humiliated by the reception Dalai Lama obtained in when he fled to India in March 1959.
Tensions steadily incereased between the two nations when Mao Zedong top PRC leader implied that the Lhasa rebellion in Tibet was caused by Indians.

Reasons for the Attack
Political
Strategic

Chinese map depicted Aksai chin as Part of China.
Tibetan encroachment of China.
Important prospective military & air base.
Access to Central & West Asia.

The Chinese occupation of Tibet , with border incidents in the North and East had a direct bearing on the activities of the force.
In the North Eastern borders while CRP’s duties comprised of escorting the famous Dalai lama and his entourage to his place of political asylum and of guarding the successive camps of the unruly Khampaz refugees, that poured through N.E.F.A areas, it is on the Ladakh front that C.R.P contingent experienced sensational developments.
From 1953 onwards , Leh and its frontier check- posts have been sacred trust of one coy of C.R.P.F

MARTYRDOM AT HOT SPRINGS
In the early 1957 one coy of 3rd BN, C.R.P.F was assigned the task of guarding the Indo – Tibetan border near Hot Springs.
With the Chinese advancing in Tibet and consolidating their hold on the road through the Aksai Chin mountain , a dastardly surprise attack with automatic weapons was let loose on the Central Reserve Police Force patrol party
21 men being led by Dy.S.P .Karam Singhon the 21st OCT, 1959.Though the C.R.P.F gave a bold account of itself, it had to retreat in the face of overwhelming odds. We lost 10 brave men and the rest were taken prisoners.

soldiers who made supreme sacrifice

The name of martyrs are as follows

CT. SHIVNATH PRASAD
CT. DHARMA SINGH
CT. SWARNA SINGH
CT. PURNA SINGH
CT.NARBU LAMBA
CT. BEGRAZ MAL
CT. MAKHAN LAL
CT. EMAN SINGH
CT. TESHRING BOKHU NARBU
CT. HANGJEET SUBBA

The force made liberal contributions for helping the bereaved family , and raised a memorial at Neemuch.
Such memorials were raised in all states in India and one at Hot Springs itself , defrayed by donations from police forces all over India.
Every year this day is celebrated at each district head quarters all over India.

DSP Karam Singh of the ITBF (Left) and the Memorial (Right) for the policemen killed during the fighting on the 21ST
of October 1959 still exists and serves as a pilgrimage visited every year by Policemen from across the country

HOT SPRINGS Martyr’s Memorial

If by dint of its achievements the force did not secure the honor of “Corps – de – elite”
for Indian Police , it amply vindicated this role by virtue of gallant sacrifices of ten of its men in trying to ward off foreigners from our borders.
This was more than borne out by the words of appreciation pronounced by our revered Prime Minister, on the occasion of All India Sports Meet in February 1960, when our contingent had the privilege of mounting the Guard –of – Honor to him and at his behest “Reversed Arms” to the martyrs of Hot Springs .

Hot spring in Today’s Scenario
21st October is now commemorated as Martyr's Day by the Police all over India.
Every year on this day, representatives of all the Police Forces in India gather at the Martyr's Memorial at Hot Springs to pay tribute to the Martyrdom of these gallant men.
Along with Arunachal Pradesh, this is still a disputed territory.
Military infrastructure lacking.

A crowded hour of glorious life is worth an age without a name. A life lived for the country is well lived and nobody knows better than the C.R.P.F , whose members made the supreme sacrifice on the 21st October 1959 at Hot springs.
Those who have lived for our country will continue to inspire us for all ages to come.

Studied & Submitted
By
HOT SPRINGS COY
DAGO’s 40th Batch