BENGALURU: A Home Guard who regulates traffic in front of the police commissioner’s office tried to kill herself at the traffic police headquarters here on Thursday.
Distressed by a four-month delay in payment of salaries, Sumathi S tried to gulp down poison, but was stopped at the last moment. The incident came to light on Friday.
After completing her work on Infantry Road (Bhagwan Mahavira Road), Sumathi walked in, explained her problem to DCP (Traffic) Abhishek Goyal and tried to kill herself, sources said.
Goyal, who has taken charge recently, was shaken. He consoled Sumathi and promised to have her paid, Express has gathered. Sumathi confirmed the incident. “I have been working for six years with the Bengaluru police. These last four months, I haven’t got a rupee. I have already borrowed Rs 35,000 for my son’s fees and home essentials,” she told Express.
Sharing details of her hard life, Sumathi also expressed the fear she might be sacked for bringing official delays to public notice. Her monthly salary is Rs 12,000.
“It is true. She has been forced to borrow money from her police friends. She comes from a very poor background,” a policeman told Express.
Sumathi is recognised as an efficient, cheerful presence, and has received awards and commendations from the police. “I have faced many problems in life, but I had never thought of suicide. This was the first time. I don’t know what pushed me to such desperation,” Sumathi said.
Goyal denied any knowledge of the incident. “But I have come to know about the salary delays. That has been rectified. In a day, the Home Guards are likely to get their salaries,” he told Express.