Prime Minister Life Saving Medal (2009)

Sri. Anil Sreenivas	Sri. KM Saidu Muhammed	Sri. Pradeep Kumar R
Sri.Suresh D	Sri. Dinesan M K

Thekkady, a part of the Periyar Tiger Reserve, is an international tourist destination. Boating in Periyar Lake is one of the main attractions of Thekkady. On the evening of September 30th, 2009, Inspector of Police, Kumily, Shri Anil Sreenivas received information that a boat full of tourists onboard was sinking in Periyar Lake. Immediately, he, along with maximum police personnel, rushed to the boat landing spot.

From the boat landing station, the police party led by Inspector and SCPOs 1689 Pappan K, 1876 KM Saidu Muhammed, CPOs 2272 Pradeep Kumar R, 2740 Suresh D, 3046 Dinesan M.K & 2638 Josekumar S rushed by the police boat to the accident spot where the boat had turned turtle. It took around 15 minutes to reach the accident place named Manakkavala.

With no time to waste, the Inspector along with CPO Dinesan swam to the capsized boat. It was inclement weather with rain and the climate was extremely cold. Initially, they broke open the front glass of the boat by diving into the water and rescued a woman. Then, they reached inside the boat through the water and the open side windows of the boat. From there they saved five lives. The victims were fighting for their last breath in the air gap of the hull area of the sunken boat.

The rescued persons were immediately shifted to the police boat, where other members of the police party gave first aid, including artificial respiration. Rescue operations were extremely challenging due to oil and diesel floating over the chilled water, making victims slip repeatedly. The police did not have life jackets, buoys, or oxygen cylinders while operating in the deepest part of the lake.

The timely response and fearless effort of the police team helped reduce casualties in one of the worst boat tragedies in Kerala, where 45 persons lost their lives and 37 were saved.