I have lost my only support, says constable’s father

“Mana had always wanted to work with the police force. His dream came true in 2010 when he came to Delhi and got enlisted with the police. He was posted with the Patel Nagar Traffic Circle a year ago,” Ram’s cousin, Suresh Kumar, said. Suresh, who is a constable with the Rajasthan Police, had come to the capital with Ram’s father on Sunday.

Ram was given a solemn farewell by the Delhi Police at the Todapur Police Lines. Ram’s father, Gehna Ram, along with the Commissioner of Police B S Bassi and Ram’s colleagues, laid wreaths on his coffin. He will be cremated in his village on Monday.

Gehna Ram, who is a farmer, broke down when the coffin carrying his son’s body was brought forth. “He was my only son. He was the sole breadwinner of the family. Now I have no one left, I have lost my only support,” he said.

Ram had graduated with a BA from Meerut, before he was enlisted with the Delhi Police, his relatives said. He had married soon after and had a son. His parents were depending on him to get his two sisters married, they said.

Muktesh Chander, Special Commissioner of Police (Traffic), who was present at the funeral service said, “Ram’s family will get Rs 20 lakh from Police Martyr’s Fund, Rs 5 lakh from his salary account as insurance cover, Rs 3 lakh from the Police Welfare Association and Rs 10 lakh from the Delhi government as compensation. We have lost one of our own today.”

“It is an honour that he gave up his life while doing his duty. But we want justice and we want those responsible for his death to be punished,” Suresh said.