Tragedy as 2 Kerala cops on duty lose legs in crash; Govt steps in with aid
Kanhangad/Thiruvananthapuram: In a devastating turn of events, a late-night highway patrol shift turned into a life-altering tragedy for two young civil police officers who have now lost their limbs in the line of duty.
Civil Police Officers in Kasaragod K M Sooraj (36), a resident of Pilicode, and Aloysius Mathew (37), from Chittarikkal Kunnumkai, were standing behind their parked police jeep during a routine vehicle inspection on the National Highway at Padannakkad. A speeding car travelling towards Kanhangad lost control and rammed directly into the officers, pinning them against their own patrol vehicle.
The impact of the crash was catastrophic. Both officers, who are attached to the District Headquarters, were rushed to Tejaswini Hospital in Mangaluru with serious injuries. Despite medical efforts to save their limbs, surgeons had to amputate Aloysius's right leg and Sooraj's left leg. The tragedy strikes an exceptionally bitter chord for Sooraj, who was a prominent football player for the District Police team.
Given the physical severity of their injuries, the Police Association has already moved to request that both men be permanently reassigned to administrative or alternative government departments to secure their livelihoods.
Home Minister announces immediate intervention
Responding swiftly to the tragedy, Kerala Home Minister Ramesh Chennithala has intervened on behalf of the state government. The Minister has officially directed the Police Welfare Bureau to step in and oversee the complete financial backing for the officers' extensive medical treatments.
An initial, immediate sum of Rs 5 lakh each has been sanctioned for Sooraj and Aloysius as they continue their recovery in the private hospital in Mangaluru, according to an official statement issued by the Home Minister's office on Sunday.
In addition to funding the immediate medical response, Minister Chennithala personally sought detailed briefs regarding their current health status and strictly ordered senior department officials to ensure that the injured personnel receive the highest standard of medical care available.
Crucially, addressing the immense worries surrounding their future careers, the Home Minister instructed the Police Department to bypass standard physical fitness requirements and prepare suitable, accommodated desk postings for both officers as soon as they are fit to return to duty.
"The government will stand firmly by our police personnel who face such extreme sacrifices while discharging their duties on the streets," Chennithala said.
"We will ensure they receive every bit of necessary long-term support and financial assistance required to rebuild their lives," he added.
(With PTI inputs)