Pune: On the eve of Independence Day, Director General of Police Rashmi Shukla announced the 'Special Service Medal' for 1,148 police personnel across the state.

Among them are 20 officers and one employee from the Pimpri-Chinchwad City Police Force. The 'Special Service Medal' is awarded annually by the Director General to police officers and employees who make significant efforts to curb the violent and illegal activities of Naxalites.

The announcement of these medals is traditionally made on the eve of Independence Day. This year, 21 members from the Pimpri-Chinchwad City Police Force, including two police inspectors, 18 sub-inspectors, and one constable, have been announced for the award.

Senior Police Inspector Tejaswini Kadam from Shirgaon Police Station served in a Naxal-affected area for three and a half years, making her eligible for the 'Special Service Medal'.

Similarly, Senior Police Inspector Mahesh Bansode from Sangvi Police Station, who served in Gondia, has also been announced for the award. Additionally, the following officers and personnel have been recognized:

Sub-Inspectors Sagar Devkar, Mahesh Satpute, Milind Kumbhar, Ganesh Atwe, Vitthal Suryawanshi, Sohan Dhotre, Balaji Mete, Santosh Jaybhaye, Shrikishan Kande, Dattatraya Sukale, Shrikant Gurav, Mahadev Bhalerao, Aba Katpale, Rahul Dudhamal, Laxman Mogle, Anil Tarfe, Chandrashekhar Morkhande, Rajendra Pansare, and Constable Yogeshwar Kolekar.