Sri Vijaya Puram, August 15: Two personnel of the Andaman and Nicobar Police have been awarded the Police Medal for Meritorious Service on the occasion of the 80th Independence Day, with the Ministry of Home Affairs announcing the honours in recognition of their distinguished and unblemished service. The recipients are Assistant Commandant J. Senthil and Head Constable (Selection Grade) Basanta Pal.
The awards recognise sustained professional service across different areas of policing and administration. The Ministry of Home Affairs announced the honours on the eve of Independence Day 2026.
Assistant Commandant J. Senthil joined the India Reserve Battalion, Andaman and Nicobar Islands, as a Sub-Inspector on June 23, 2006. According to the official citation, he demonstrated professional competence, leadership and dedication throughout his career.
During his service, Senthil successfully completed several advanced training programmes and undertook assignments related to commando operations, weapon handling, anti-poaching operations, training and other operational duties.
He also served on deputation with the Ministry of External Affairs, where he performed security, VVIP protection, diplomatic liaison and consular assistance duties in Pakistan and Russia, including during critical emergencies. In addition, he handled responsibilities relating to battalion administration, VVIP security and major public events.
The citation states that these contributions formed the basis for conferring the Police Medal for Meritorious Service upon him.
Head Constable (Selection Grade) Basanta Pal joined the Andaman and Nicobar Police as a Constable in 2002 and has completed more than two decades of service. During this period, he served in assignments related to law and order, recruitment and police administration.
At the Police Headquarters, Basanta Pal assisted in law and order planning, official meetings, election-related assignments and various administrative functions. The citation notes that he discharged these responsibilities with diligence, efficiency and professionalism.
It further records that throughout his career, he consistently demonstrated discipline, reliability, devotion to duty and a strong sense of responsibility, contributing to the functioning of the police organisation. These services were recognised with the Police Medal for Meritorious Service.
Following the announcement of the awards, Director General of Police Ravindra Singh Yadav congratulated both recipients on being conferred the national honour. The Director General and personnel of the Andaman and Nicobar Police also extended their best wishes to the awardees for their future service.
The honours were announced as part of the Independence Day 2026 civilian and service awards recognising distinguished public service across the country.
