Angul: Tension prevailed after a trainee sub-inspector died under mysterious circumstances at the Police Training College (PTC) here Tuesday.
The deceased was identified as Sudarsan Munda, an assistant sub-inspector (ASI) in Jajpur police district. He was undergoing training at the college after being recently promoted to sub-inspector.
He fell ill after having his bath in the morning. Later, he collapsed on the spot. His colleagues rushed him to the district headquarters hospital where doctors declared him dead. The incident sparked outrage among trainee officers in the college. They alleged he was under severe mental stress to clear the examination, which might have led to his death.
Trainee officers later demanding cancellation of the examination staged a sit-in on the college premises. They demanded rescheduling of the examination date and better infrastructure at the college.
Sources said Munda after his promotion was sent to the college to undergo training and clear the examination, which is mandatory according to departmental promotion rules. In case of failure, a police officer will be promoted but his salary will not increase.
Every police officer has to undergo compulsory training for a period of six months, which is known as department cadet sub-inspector (DCSI) according to the service rules.
This time, around 165 sub-inspectors were admitted for training at the college. However, the trainees had a different view. They claimed that most of them are above 50 years of age and undergoing strenuous physical exercise at this age and being taught difficult subjects is quite tough for them.
Moreover, with examinations scheduled to begin from next week, they were under severe mental pressure. Munda was one among them. He had several discussions with his batchmates on the issue and was planning to request a rescheduling of the examination.
Many of the probationers alleged the college lacks basic infra infrastructure for training and lack of trained faculties. However, the authorities are exerting pressure on them to clear the examinations.
PTC vice-principal Ambika Prasad Panda rejected the charges and said the physical training programme has been stopped due to the examination. PNN