Pratap’s rising popularity earns him ire and jealousy of colleagues, higher-ups
Bhubaneswar: A young cop who entertained commuters at city roads while carrying out his duty very efficiently is considering to quit job citing constant taunts and humiliation from his colleagues and higher-ups.
Pratap Chandra Khandwal, a home guard, had been working as a traffic cop in the city for six years until he was dumped to work as a gate-keeper at the traffic police station at AG Square. His unique style of manning traffic entertained commuters who were seen obeying his orders while driving past the traffic post. A disillusioned Khandalwal is now planning to quit his job.
His talent came to the fore after a national news agency published a story on him. Soon, Khanadwal shot into fame with reports on him appearing in all major regional and national news channels. He obliged newsmen who flocked to him for interviews.
However, his popularity drew the ire of his seniors who shifted him from traffic management which he had been carrying out with all honesty and sincerity. He was also targeted by fellow traffic cops after he started getting awards and financial benefits.
Speaking to Orissa POST, he said, due to my way of traffic management many people extended their hand to help me. Some organsations also came forward to help me. An orgnaisation from Bangalore recently gave me `60,000 after one of their members noticed me while I was managing traffic with style. Even organsiations and individuals helped me with shoes, bi-cycles and dress material. Recently, I bought a motor cycle after which I became an eyesore for my colleagues as well as seniors.
“I will leave this job as I am not comfortable standing idle as a gatekeeper for eight long hours. Management of traffic through my dance is my passion. Here I am being taunted by colleagues and seniors,”he said.
Speaking on the issue, Commissioner of Police Satyajit Mohanty said, “I have no knowledge about the matter. I will enquire into the issue and will try to post him back as a traffic cop.”
