Meghalaya cop to be given Ashok Chakra posthumously

Raymond P Diengdoh, who laid down his life fighting militants in an encounter in 2007 in Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya, will be posthumously awarded the Ashok Chakra - country's highest civilian award, on Republic day, the first officer in the North-East to be bestowed with the gallantry honour.

The slain DSP is among the 'eleven brave hearts of the nation' who are to be honoured with India's highest peacetime gallantry award, the 'Ashok Chakra' by president Pratibha Patil during the Republic Day celebrations in New Delhi, official sources said on Monday.

Diengdoh had led a police party to Paham-Umdoh area of Ri-Bhoi district of Meghalaya on November 7, 2007, after getting tip-off that ten militants of the proscribed HNLC and the NDFB, armed with automatic rifles and huge quantity of explosives had set up a camp in the deep jungles.

As the militants fired from automatic weapons, Diengdoh led the charge and shot dead one militant.

Despite being hit by a bullet, he led from the front and captured two hardcore militants before dying.

In its tribute to the brave cop, Meghalaya government will hold a concert 'Spirit of Freedom 2009' on January 29 in the state capital.