In the heart of Haryana's Nuh district, Mamta Singh, IPS emerges as a beacon of courage and commitment, embodying the very essence of law enforcement. A 1996 batch IPS officer, Mamta Singh serves as ADGP, Law & Order.
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Heroic Act In Nuh
As violence erupted on July 31, 2023, Mamta Singh received information about people trapped in the Shiva temple at Nalhar in Harayana. Accompanied by a team of officers, she encountered numerous obstacles, including firing and stone-pelting along the way. Recognising the danger, the team devised an alternative route through fields to reach the temple, only to face increased gunfire from rioters hiding in the mountains. The situation became critical as the rioters set vehicles ablaze, blocking the roads.
However, Mamta Singh led a team of officers in a daring rescue mission that unfolded like scenes from a Hollywood thriller. To protect the people inside the temple, they locked them inside rooms and halls, strategically alleviating crowds. Realising the urgency involved, a plan for evacuation was initiated. Groups of women, children, and men were formed, for a coordinated exit.
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Heroic Rescue Mission Amidst Chaos
In the midst of chaos, with rioters unleashing violence, stone-pelting, and gunfire, Singh's leadership ensured the safety of over 2,500 people who were trapped. Her actions showcased her commitment to maintaining law and order and earned her widespread acclaim and praise from every corner of the country.
In an exclusive interview with Indian Masterminds, Mamta Singh vividly recounted ‘There was firing and stone pelting all along the way. Controlling all that, somehow I reached a spot about 500 metres away from the main temple. On reaching there, the scene was even more horrifying. The roads leading to the temple were blocked. Arson was being carried out and stone pelting was going on.’
Her words paint a stark picture of traumatised faces, especially women and children, still etched in her memory.
‘There are mountains all around the temple. That’s why the rioters had found a place to hide. It was clearly visible that a large number of people had assembled there and they started firing, hiding in the mountains and bushes. Seeing this situation, I gave clear instructions to my team that now they should start burst firing.’ she added.
During the unrest, Mamta Singh's team arrested 156 people in Nuh and 286 across Haryana. The violence was not isolated, spanning multiple locations in the district.
(Photo courtesy: X/@SpmcilD)
Career Path
Choosing a path less trodden, Mamta Singh had initially set her sights on a career in medicine. However, her innate desire to serve society through bolder endeavours led to her courageous decision to forego medical studies and commit herself to the police service. Her journey as a law enforcement officer has been marked by dedication, fearlessness, and a commitment to justice.
Mamta Singh's exemplary service has not gone unnoticed. In 2022, she was honoured with a presidential award on Republic Day, elevating her stature within the police department.
The Supreme Court has also commended Mamta Singh's exceptional work, especially her contributions to various investigations of the Human Rights Commission. Her handling of human rights violations during critical operations in Nandigram (West Bengal), Sukma, Dantewada, Bijapur, Bastar, and Anakonda (Chhattisgarh) earned her high praise from the apex court.
Mamta Singh stands as an inspiration within the police department. Her indomitable spirit continues to shine, ensuring that justice prevails in the face of adversity.
(Photo courtesy: zeenews.india)