Guwahati: The Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal-2022 was declared by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) on Monday in recognition of four special operations carried out by the security forces in the areas of counterterrorism, border security, arms control, narcotics trafficking prevention, and rescue operations.
On the occasion of Sardar Patel’s birth anniversary, 63 police officers of various grades, from Constable to Additional Director General of Police received the “Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal-2022.”
Three states (Telangana, Punjab, and Maharashtra) as well as the Union Territories of Jammu & Kashmir and Delhi received awards. All of them took part in four special operations that were carried out on various times.
“The ‘Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal’ for the year 2022 have been awarded for 4 Special Operations,” the MHA said in a statement.
The honour was announced when the nation was commemorating Sardar Vallabhbhai Patel, referred to as the Iron Man of India, with a massive “Run for Unity” event.
Instituted by the MHA on July 23, 2018, ‘Union Home Minister’s Special Operation Medal’ is conferred to state and Union Territory (UT) Police Forces, Central Police Organizations (CPOs), Central Armed Police Forces (CAPFs), and Security organizations throughout India to recognize only those operations, which have a high degree of planning, high significance for the security of the country, state and UT and have a significant impact on the security of large sections of the society.
The honour is given for special operations in fields like counterterrorism, border security, arms control, stopping the smuggling of illicit drugs, and rescue missions.
The MHA receives all suggestions for the award within three months of the special operation.
All nominations are reviewed by a committee at MHA, which then recommends them for the honour. The selection committee, which is chaired by the home secretary, includes the director of intelligence bureau as well as two directors general of police from states and UTs on a yearly rotation in alphabetical order (the larger organisation is given preference). The final list of recipients nominated by the MHA Selection Committee must be approved by the Union Home Minister in order to be considered competent.
Each victor receives a certificate (Scroll) in addition to their medal, which is signed by the Union Home Minister.
The award is declared every year on October 31. Three special operations are typically given consideration for the prize each year, and more often in exceptional cases. The prize may only be presented to five Special operations in unusual cases to motivate the UT and state police.