75 days of tireless service

“By 10.25 pm, I reached the spot. I saw the pilot vehicle parked a little away from the hospital and drove into the hospital entrance. But there was no sight of the convoy or anything hinting of the presence of the Chief Minister there. On enquiring, staff at the ‘Emergency entrance’ pointed to an Innova parked there and said she was brought in that vehicle, in critical condition. I was asked not to tell anyone, but I informed my immediate superiors. By 11.30 pm all the higher officials arrived. They began laying out the required police protocol. However, we maintained that it was a routine check-up,” he said. 

“Next day onwards, the news of her presence at the hospital began to spread. MLAs, councillors and other cadre began arriving and we had to step up the security measures,” Inspector Dhayal said. A week later, the first VIP to arrive was Sarathkumar. Later, the other VIPs began pouring in. By then, the department had laid out detailed security arrangements, which included personnel from nine police districts, who were posted there on shift basis. Police sources said that it was when the Kannagi Nagar murder took place, 45 days after the Chief Minister was admitted, that the police strength was reduced and only policemen from Kilpauk, Triplicane and Mount police districts were posted near Apollo Hospitals on rotational basis. Being the jurisdiction in charge of Apollo Hospital Security, Deputy Commissioner Perumal said that providing security for the hospital premises was very important. 

“It was well planned and properly executed under directions from the City Commissioner S George. On average, there were 100 police personnel, including intelligence and other special force inside the hospital premises,” he said. 

Around 50 police personnel were deployed right outside the hospital and another 25 at the main gate. An additional Commissioner, a Joint Commissioner, Deputy Commissioner, Assistant Commissioner and three inspectors were posted there each day.The men and women cops worked on a three-shift basis, and the list was sent from the Commissioner’s office, which included policemen from several jurisdictions.

“During the initial days, when the crowd was swelling outside the hospital curious to know what had happened to Jaya, we had a tough time. The people were upset and angry, we had to save the hospital from vandalism and we could not resort to harsh treatment as any provocation from our side would lead to mobbing,” said J Daniel, a Sub Inspector from Egmore who was on Apollo Hospital bandobust. On December 5, when the news of the cardiac arrest spread, the crowd gathered and began getting uneasy. 

One of them threw a stone injuring Daniel’s colleague. Fortunately, by then the police strength was aptly increased and there were sufficient men in khakhi to prevent any mob violence. Senior police officials say it was the right decision to announce the death late in the night. The following day, most of them having skipped meals, worked tirelessly under the sun and over-cast skies. They even put off personal errands following orders from the DGP that the department must be in full force.  A woman Inspector from Ambattur had her son’s wedding on December 5 and had leave sanctioned for the next few days. On hearing the news, she completed the marriage and reported back for work. A lady constable suffered an injury on her hand when she was pushing a barricade while controlling the crowd on Wallajah Road and had to undergo treatment. 

“Apart from going without food or water, we had a tough time manning the emotionally charged people. If we touched them to make them move away, they would get angry and ask us not to touch them,” he said. “People are grieving, so our higher officials asked us to be patient as much as possible,” said another police official. However, some paid a heavy price. 

On Tuesday at 6 am, Mount Traffic Enforcement Head Constable Anbu (45), arrived at MKN road junction on bandobust duty. He was asked to come there as many VVIP’s would be travelling along the stretch to reach Rajaji Hall. By 8.45 am, he suffered chest pain and collapsed. He was soon rushed to a nearby private hospital. He was later shifted to the (Intensive Critical Care Unit), where he passed away. Police sources feel, he could have been stressed. Anbu, a resident of Pallvaram, is survived by his wife and two children.