Constable Dangmei Stephen of the Central Reserve Police Force served with 184 BN CRPF. On 24 September 2010, troops of the battalion launched an operation against Maoists at Bandarbani village in the Binpur police station area of West Medinipur district, West Bengal.
Fought On Despite Serious Injuries
During the operation, the troops came under heavy fire from Maoists who were positioned in tactically advantageous locations. The troops advanced and engaged the Maoists.
Constable Dangmei Stephen was closest to the Maoist line of fire when the attack began. Despite coming under heavy fire, he continued to advance and retaliate. He sustained serious bullet injuries but continued fighting, helping his fellow troops break the ambush, regroup and continue the engagement.
His courageous action helped turn the situation around. The official CRPF account records that the troops neutralized a Maoist and subsequently forced the Maoists to retreat.
Dangmei Stephen was evacuated from the encounter site but succumbed to his injuries on 25 September 2010, attaining martyrdom in the service of the nation.
For his gallantry, courage and devotion to duty, he was awarded the Police Medal for Gallantry posthumously.
