MORE police personnel died in road accidents in the country than and in attacks by terrorist and left-wing extremist (LWE) in year 2017. Of 840 cops killed on duty during the period, 502 (59.67%) were killed in road accidents, stated a report released by National Crime Record Bureau (NCRB), recently. Maharashtra lost two police personnel in Naxal attacks and one due to accidental firing of a service weapon.

 

In sharp contrast, 30 cops were killed in road accidents in State which alarms the need for providing secured vehicles and other measures to safeguard police personnel. In Jammu and Kashmir, 237 police personnel were killed, including 157 killed by riotous mobs and 71 inaction agains t terrorists. Similarly, 93 policemen were killed in Uttar Pradesh; 78 in Punjab, including 72 in road accidents; 51 in Tamil Nadu, including 50 in road accidents; 50 in Madhya Pradesh,including 39 in road accidents while nine cops were killed by riotous mob; 41 policemen were killed in Haryana, including 40 in road accidents; 40 in Gujarat, including 39 in road accidents.

 

Expressing concern over the situation, a senior police officer, while talking to ‘The Hitavada’, said that the trend of killing of good policemen in road accidents needs to be taken seriously. “We are losing our personnel due to negligence of drivers. Checks would prevent accidents due to drivers’ mistake,” he added. A retired officer said that conducting periodic tests of police drivers is must. Medical tests of policemen using motorcycle for patrolling should also be conducted including their eyesight and also their alcoholic habits.

 

2,684 police personnel injured on-duty AS MANY as 2,684 policemen were injured on-duty during operations across the country in year 2017. However, number of policemen injured in road accidents just 350. According to the statistics, 308 police personnel were injured in Maharashtra in the year 2017. Of them, 45 were injured in operations against terrorist and Naxals, 28 during anti-dacoity operations, 128 by riotous and 57 in attacks by criminals.