Only last week, the Government had announced that police officers involved in anti-dacoit operations would be rewarded with revolvers on the occasion of the Independence Day.

Chief Minister Shivraj Singh Chouhan will hand over the revolvers to seven IPS officers involved in anti-dacoit operations in the Gwalior-Chambal regions. The Madhya Pradesh Police have eliminated several dacoits, including Jagjivan Singh Parihar, Dayaram Gadaria and Rambabu Gadaria.

The Home Department officials argued that gallantry medals are given only when officials are seen to be going beyond their call of duty and show extraordinary courage. The officials refused to comment on the January operation that led to the arrest of five hardcore Left wing extremists, who had been operating in the industrial area for more than two years.