Chhattisgarh Police Emerges Biggest Recipients of Gallantry Medals Securing 141 Awards

Raipur: Former Bastar range inspector general of police (IGP) P Sunderraj, currently posted as National Investigation Agency (NIA) IGP at Delhi, is among a record 141 cops from Chhattisgarh police who had made a mark in the counterinsurgency sector, leading to the eradication of Naxalism in the state, and are recipients of Gallantry Medals ahead of Independence Day 2026.

Mr. Sunderraj who had served around a decade in Bastar, which is of the size of Kerala with an area of around 40,000 sq km, in different positions from district superintendent of police (SP) to deputy inspector general (DIG) of police and finally IGP, had overseen the eradication of four-decade-old Maoism in the tribal belt of Chhattisgarh during his stint in Bastar.

The police officer was particularly known for playing a key role in weakening Maoist network in Bastar, making inroads into their bases and finally freeing the entire length and breadth of Bastar of Maoist influence.

He moved to the NIA as IG at Delhi after ensuring that Bastar is completely free from Left-wing extremism.

Significantly, all the 141 Gallantry Medal recipients from Chhattisgarh are the cops who had made a mark in the counterinsurgency battles in Bastar in the past one.

Prominent among them included IPS officers Indira Kalyan Elesela, and Robinson Gudiya, besides Mr. Sunderraj.

Interestingly, Chhattisgarh police personnel emerged as the biggest recipients of Gallantry Medals ahead of Independence Day 2026, securing 141 awards, which is the highest for any state police force or security organization in the country.

This apart, ten cops from Chhattisgarh received the President's Medal, while another cop received the Meritorious Service Medal.