Tell someone that you are going abroad and they often ask you to carry something for their own friends in the foreign country. One such incident may have landed a city resident in grave danger, police suspect.
Kadamakkudy resident Shiju had returned from Abu Dhabi to attend his father’s funeral. When he went back to Abu Dhabi, where he was working, Shiju was arrested at the airport for possession of heroin.
While Shiju is now imprisoned in Abu Dhabi, his family says that he was trapped by an acquaintance. The heroin was allegedly given to Shiju by a person named Amal, who knew a friend of Shiju’s. Amal asked Shiju to take a package, which he claimed contained books, to his friend in Abu Dhabi. Police say that Shiju carried the heroin unknowingly and ended up in the hands of the police. Aluva police are now on a mission to Goa, from where the heroin was allegedly sourced, with second accused Ansar.
Shiju’s family, meanwhile, are worried about his condition. “We contacted some of our own acquaintances and the Malayali association in Abu Dhabi. They’re all scared to approach the police there, though, and there is no news of Shiju’s condition,” said a police officer. An intervention from the government seems to be the only way out for Shiju. “We believe he was tricked. But the police can’t do anything. We are carrying on with our investigation into the source of the drugs,” said the officer. Meanwhile, his friends have also started a ‘Save Shiju’ Facebook page to campaign for his release.
Going for fitness
The State Police Chief has issued special instructions to improve the physical fitness of police officers at all levels. The DGP said in a circular that personnel would have to take part in regular physical exercise programmes twice a week. “Occupational diseases among policemen and officers have increased in recent times because of their work-related stress and inability to devote time to personal healthcare. It is essential to set apart some time in the day for healthy exercises,” read the circular. The order suggested that officers may take up yoga or simple physical training exercises during the specified time at each police station or armed reserve camps.
The exercise sessions have also been made optional for officers above 50 years.
The move, however, has been met with some resistance by members of the force.
Officials said that while the idea to start physical exercise sessions for the police was excellent, there would be practical problems when it came to implementing the move. Officers said that it might be difficult for everyone to attend the sessions regularly, considering the fact that the police often work odd hours and long shifts. If the attendance dipped, so would the officers’ enthusiasm for a workout. The training sessions are expected to begin from August onwards.
