Bhubaneswar: Two senior police officials and a fire service officer have been awarded the President’s medal for distinguished service (PSM) on Independence Day this year, according to the list released by the ministry of home affairs.The recipients of the prestigious PSM honour are DG (anti‑Naxal operations) Sanjeeb Panda, crime branch DSP Smitarani Mohanty, and assistant fire officer Malay Kumar Mohanty, each recognized for an outstanding record of service.In addition to the trio, 20 other personnel across separate four wings — police, fire service, home guard, and prisons organisations have been decorated with gallantry and service medals. Five police personnel — sub‑inspector Manmath Kumar Mohapatra, havildar Nirakar Bhue, and special operations group (SOG) commandos Santosh Gurung, Suman Pun, and Suresh Chandra Puta — were conferred gallantry medals (GM) for acts of exceptional bravery in saving lives, protecting property, preventing crime, and apprehending criminals.“1994‑batch IPS officer Panda, who spearheaded Odisha’s anti‑Maoist operations, and the three SOG commandos were honoured for their pivotal contributions in eliminating Left‑wing extremism from the state,” a senior govt official said.Ten police personnel were recognized with the medal for meritorious service (MSM). They are DSPs Manoranjan Paikray and Suresh Kumar Bal, inspector Gitanjali Panda, deputy commandant Bhabesh Kumar Nayak, assistant commandant Paresh Kumar Minati Nandan Pati, sub‑inspector Barun Kumar Naik, constables Shyamali Biswas and Mustaque Alli Khan, and havildars Subash Gouda and Prasanta Kumar Biswal.From the fire service organisation, driver‑havildar Nuel Kerketta and assistant station officer Amitav Raj received MSM, while home guard Aviram Sethi was also decorated under this category. From the prisons organisation, chief warder Pramod Kumar Swain and warder Biswanath Panda were awarded MSM for their dedicated service.
