Governor SC Jamir on Sunday handed over medals to 111 policemen of the state for displaying bravery in the line of duty and for meritorious or distinguished service. The award ceremony was held at the state police headquarters.

While Rajendra Kale, a constable attached to the Dahisar police station and slain police officer Pradeep Nimbalkar of the Mumbai police were honoured with the Shaurya Padak —the highest gallantry award granted by the state— the President’s police medals were conferred on eight policemen including slain Anti Terrorism Squad chief Hemant Karkare, Joint Commissioner of Police (Crime) Rakesh Maria and Thane Police Commissioner Anil Dhere. The other police officials were honourned with medals for meritorious service.

Speaking at the function, Home Minister Jayant Patil said,” These medals have been given to the policemen to recognise their valuable contribution to the police department. I hope the medals will motivate and encourage them to do more.”

While Kale was awarded for chasing down Rocky Yadav, a notorious criminal on December 3,2006, Nimbalkar was honoured for sacrificing his life while saving two citizens during the July 26 deluge in 2005.

Martyred IPS officer Ashok Kamte’s father Col (Retd) Maruti Kamte, who was present at the ceremony, rubbished the controversy surrounding the role played by his son while facing terrorist Ajmal Ameer Kasab and his partner Ismael Khan.

“We have conducted enquiries on our own and learnt that Ashok had acted in the best possible manner at that point of time, given the fact that this was a sudden attack. He fought till the last moment of his life,” said Col Kamte.