The Republic Day celebrations concluded on a tragic note in this hill station on Thursday.
When all the song and dance items which formed part of the cultural programme had ended, M. Pandian (31), a member of the Armed Reserve Wing of the Nilgiris police had moved in to display his prowess in acrobatics.
Having performed a couple of daring feats including one on a motorcycle, he had, by way of bringing the curtain down on the programme, taken up a challenge which involved somersaulting over human hurdles. Volunteers of the Junior Red Cross had acted as the hurdles.
During the penultimate somersault over 13 children, Pandian’s controlled landing had gone awry and he had suffered a neck injury.
He was rushed to the Government Headquarters hospital where he died shortly after being admitted.
Among those who were witnessing the proceedings at the ground was his wife Sathya.
Describing the incident as a, “great shock’, the Superintendent of Police S. Nizamuddin told The Hindu that the constable who was earlier a member of the Special Task Force hailed from Chinnamannur in Theni district. The couple had two daughters aged six years and 11 months.
Quoting government doctors, he said that a spinal cord injury had led to a heart attack.
Stating that arrangements were made to provide immediate relief, he said that policemen and officers will pool in to extend financial assistance to the family which will also get the usual benefits.
Among those who paid their last respects was the Nilgiris Collector Archana Patnaik.
The body was taken to the constable’s native place.
