Mangalore : The DK District Police, Mangalore City Police Commissionerate, and KSRP 7th Battalion jointly observed Karnataka State Police Flag Day and Welfare Day here on April 2, Wednesday.

As many as 71 retired policemen from Dakshina Kannada police and Mangalore Police Commissionerate were felicitated at the Police Flag Day celebration here on Wednesday.

Speaking on occasion Deputy Commissioner of Police (Crime) Vishnuvardhan said an amount of Rs. 3.17 lakh was collected following the Flag Day last year. Of this Rs. 34,250 were spent for education of children of police personnel, while an amount of Rs. 36,600 was used for providing spectacles for policemen. Nearly 50 per cent of the money collected was deposited for the welfare of State and Central police force.

Nalini Bhandary, the sister of deceased former Superintendent of Police Pushparaj Shetty, presented cash awards to four children of policemen who have performed well in SSLC, PUC and engineering degree examinations. Speaking on the occasion, the former Assistant Commissioner of Police Jaya Bhandary said policemen who joined politics should quit the service. He also criticised policemen who resolved money disputes or got closer to underworld elements. These were sullying the image of police. He also suggested that services of retired personnel should be used for policing.

B Jaya Bhandari, former DySP presided over the function. Several retired police personnel were honoured.

R Hithendra, Mangalore City Police Commissioner urged the members of the public to purchase Police Flags as it would help generate income for the Police Fund.

Dr Sharanappa, district superintendent of police, C Rangaswamy, KSRP commandant. Dr KV Jagadish, deputy commissioner of police and several other police personnel were present.