Kin of cops who died while on COVID duty given jobs in force

Appointment letters were given to the family members of the deceased cops at an event held in Navi Mumbai on February 23

At a time when the pandemic has taken away the lives of many police officers and left their families in the lurch, the state police force went a step ahead and handed out job offers to the kin of those cops who died due to COVID-19 or some other illness and in accidents while on duty.

According to information received from the DG's office, 256 appointment letters have already been issued. The family members of 83 policemen in Navi Mumbai have been given jobs in the force, the maximum in a particular area in the state. Apart from this, the kin of 74 cops in Thane city, 58 in Nagpur, 34 in Pune and 17 in Palghar have got jobs. The remaining appointment letters would be issued before March 15 this year.

ADG (Law and Order) Rajendra Singh said that all the police commissioners and district police offices of the state had been informed that family members of those policemen who died on duty should be given jobs in the force.

Singh told mid-day, "Family members of policemen who died on duty in Navi Mumbai, Thane, Pune, Nagpur and Palghar are being given jobs. All of them will be given appointment letters on compassionate grounds by March 15."

Pramila Dhumse, 32, a resident of Nashik, was given an appointment letter by state DGP Hemant Nagrale on February 23. Her husband Ramesh Dhumse was a police constable, who suffered a heart attack while on duty, and later died while undergoing treatment. Palghar resident Pankaj Kanal, 20, will also join the department. His father Radka Kanal, who was attached to the Talasari police station died of a heart attack last year. He is survived by his wife, a daughter and son Pankaj.

Mohan Patil, 22, from Jalgaon is a BSc IT graduate. His father, who was posted at Satpati police station, died of heart attack in 2014. Rupesh wants to work in the cyber crime department. Yogesh Sudam Kukale, 27, from Satara always wanted to become a police officer. His father died in an accident in 2019.

Nandini Pramod Shere, 31, from Yawatmal is all set to join the police force. Her husband Pramod, who was posted with the Vasai police, died in a bike accident last year. Nandini has completed her HSC and has a diploma in agriculture studies.

Nusrat Javed Shaikh, 36, is thankful to the state police for giving her an opportunity to join the force. Her husband was working with the Talasari police when he died last year.

Rohit Torskar's father Jalinder was posted at the Nalasopara police station. Jalinder died in an accident while returning home. The state police have given Rohit a job offer. "I am grateful because they have given me a chance to serve the country," he said.

Yogesh Kukle, 27, hails from Taluka Karad in Satara district. His father, who was attached to the Talasari police station, died in an accident while on duty. Yogesh told mid-day, "I have joined the police force. My training will start in a few days."