From Daijiworld's special correspondent
Panaji, Mar 30: A recent study by police medical officer have revealed that more than 25 per cent of Goa police personnel above 40 years of age are suffering serious ailments, including psychological problems.
"Medical check up of police personnel between 40 to 45 years revealed that 25 per cent of them are seriously ailing," confirmed PMO Dr Kalpana Mahatme.
Goa police's health problems came to fore when a constable on duty killed himself with the service rifle on Tuesday.
"The amount of stress is very high in police personel and Goa police is not (not) exception to it," admits deputy inspector general of police (DIG) Ujwal Mishra.
The total 3,700-strong police force mends 14 lakh population besides 20 lakh tourists, annually. This makes an average of one policeman per 400 people.
Police records reads: of the 373 police personnel between 40 to 45 years who went through complete medical check up, 85 had serious problems like diabetic mellitus and hypertension.
The ageing police personnel are not able to cope with the increasing job pressures and the young blood find that they do not get justice to their work. "Few constables grudge that they are stuck to one place without any chances of promotion. The posting at Goa Reserve police battalion is one of such posting where young constables in uniform wait for further orders for days together," explains Dr Mahatme.
In addition, repaying of loans borrowed to meet their financial needs is also one of the factors, which contributes to their ailment, she adds.
With the increasing work pressure, the medicos feel that Goa police needs psycho-therapy and humane touch to their work by seniors. "They are just given orders, the police station in-charge should work towards understanding his subordinates psychology," Dr Mahatme stated.
The senior police officials admit that police are plagued by staff crunch. "Several proposals to enhance the staff is pending with the state government," stated superintendent of police (HQ) Arvind Gauns.
Besides a director general of police and two deputy inspector general of police, Goa police have a strength of eight superintendent of police (SPs), 23 deputy superintendent of police (DySPs), 52 police inspectors, 150 police sub inspectors, 148 assistant sub inspectors, 703 head constables and 2750 constables.