Tiraspol, 5 March. /Novosti Pridnestrovya/. On this day, 25 years ago, the newly formed Pridnestrovian Moldavian Republic established its own militsiya. Its history begins with the establishment on 5 March 1991 of the Internal Affairs Department that became part of the republic's government. A year and a half later the department was reorganised into the Ministry of Internal Affairs.
The ceremony of laying flowers at the memorial to militsiya employees who have fallen in the line of duty began the traditional events commemorating this date.
A minute of silence was observed in the tribute of the fallen heroes. As was repeatedly emphasised during the rally, it was militsiya employees who sometimes had to resist first not only domestic criminals, but also outer enemies.
«Twenty-five years ago we undertook a responsible mission to protect public order in our Fatherland. Militsiya officers, sergeants and privates prioritised the equality of all nationalities residing in Pridnestrovie. When resisting the armed aggression by Moldova, over 60 employees were wounded, 14 of them were gravely wounded, and 16 employees lost their lives," noted the internal affairs minister, Stanislav Romanyuk.
And today militsiya employees risk their lives. Throughout the existence of the ministry about 40 employees have died in the line of duty.
«The MIA’s personnel are the Pridnestrovian citizens who fulfil their duties, risking their lives every day. This does not include crime control alone, which is the MIA's main task, but also the protection of public order in security zones. This refers to Bendery's municipal department of internal affairs and Dubossary's internal affairs department, whose personnel are always on the edge of the blade, protecting public order in close proximity to Moldova's armed forces and law enforcement units," said President Yevgeny Shevchuk.
«Twenty-five years ago, on 5 March, the foundation was not laid for the establishment of the MIA only, but the whole law enforcement system. It would have been difficult to predict the destiny of the PMR if veterans, both present here and those who have passed away, had not taken a heroic step and had not made a responsible decision," said the chairman of the Supreme Council, ex-minister of internal affairs, Vadim Krasnoselsky.
Particular attention was paid to the veterans, many of whom were presented state and ministry awards on the anniversary date.
In addition, all female personnel were specially congratulated on the 8 March international women's day. Today, 900 women serve in the militsiya.
