Date:21/10/2008 URL: http://www.thehindu.com/2008/10/21/stories/2008102157210100.htm

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State leaves family of slain constable high and dry

Rajulapudi Srinivas

OFFICIAL APATHY: The house of Anakarla Keshavulu remains without doors, windows and flooring.

NELLORE: Even four months after the death of police constable Anakarla Keshavulu in the attack by Maoists at Chitrakonda on the Andhra-Orissa border on June 29, the promised assistance has not reached his parents in full measure.

Notwithstanding the claims made by the government on the eve of the Police Commemoration Day on Tuesday about how it was coming to the rescue of slain police personnel, particularly those engaged in countering naxal violence, the situation on the ground was quite different.

When this reporter visited Kaluvai mandal, about 70 km away from the district headquarters, the parents of the slain constable – Chennaiah and Penchalamma – were living in a half-constructed house without doors, windows and flooring.

Keshavulu joined as constable in Andhra Pradesh Special Police in 2006. “My brother opted for service in the Police Department as we were living in poverty. We have lost him now and all of us are struggling to have two meals a day. Even after his death, my brother’s dream has not been fulfilled,” said Sridevi, younger sister of Keshavulu.

“The government promised to give Rs. 2 lakh under ‘Bhadratha’ scheme, a house, job to one member of the family and about Rs. 50,000, besides other benefits.

Except for depositing a sum of Rs. 9 lakh in an FD account for five years in the name of my parents, no other aid was given so far,” she said.

Half-constructed tomb

“We borrowed about Rs. 50,000 loan to perform the third and eleventh day ceremonies of my son. The tomb remained half-constructed in the graveyard on the village outskirts and we don’t have money to complete it. We are illiterates and we do not know whom to approach for help,” Chennaiah said.