Kanpur encounter: Dalit constable Babloo Kumar from Agra was first in village to rise above poverty and get govt job

Arvind Chauhan / TNN / Jul 3, 2020, 20:31 IST

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22-year-old constable Babloo Kumar killed in the Kanpur encounter on Friday was the first in his village to get a government job. Hailing from an impoverished family, victim was adopted by his physically challenged uncle Chote Lal, who nurtured and educated Babloo—while his siblings became daily wage labour to support the family.

Babloo Kumar.

AGRA: 22-year-old constable Babloo Kumar killed in the Kanpur encounteron Friday was the first in his village to get a government job. Hailing from an impoverished family, victim was adopted by his physically challenged uncle Chote Lal, who nurtured and educated Babloo—while his siblings became daily wage labour to support the family.
Babloo Kumar was second youngest among nine siblings including five sisters.All sisters are now married, while two elder brothers Dinesh and Bantu are daily wage labour and younger brother Umesh just cleared intermediate. Babloo’s father Mahavir is also a daily wage labourer with no farm land. The family lives in a small and recently constructed pucca house with tin shed after Babloo joined police force.
"He was the first in our village (Pokhra Pandey) to be selected in government job. Following him, another youth has recently joined PAC. Babloo was hard working and humble boy. His uncle Chote Lal adopted him in early age and invested his savings for Babloo’s education and growth. The physically challenged man remained bachelor and took care of Babloo," said Avatar Singh, Babloo's neighbour..
Village Pokhra Pandey's population is around 300. It comes under Fatehabad block of Lohia Ujhawali gram panchayat.

After hearing about the death of constable Babloo, his foster father Chote Lal who cannot walk due to disabled limbs went to Kanpur along with Dinesh, Bantu, Umesh and their father Mahavir to bring back Babloo’s mortal remains.
Speaking to TOI, the elder brother Dinesh said, "Babloo was pride of our family. He was studious, joined police force on merit and brave youth. Just before joining the police force in 2018, he saved by five-year-old son who was drowning in pond. Babloo was a world for my uncle Chote Lal. He adopted him and brought him as fine man. After Babloo’s death, Chote Lal is inconsolable."
Babloo had met his family last month, when he came for four days leave. He was set to get married in August month.
By the time this report was filed, Babloo’s mortal remains were yet to reach at his ancestral home. ADG Agra Ajay Anand expressed his condolence for Babloo’s family and arranged a proper guard of honour for Babloo.

About the Author

Arvind Chauhan

Arvind Chauhan is an experienced journalist with a demonstrated history of working in the newspapers industry as well as for the social media wing as digital content creator. He has covered subjects like railways, aviation, defence, energy, health, real estate, minority affairs, women and child development, crime, customs, telecom, district court, district administration, roads and infrastructure, armed forces tribunal, and regional politics across Uttar Pradesh. He began his career in Lucknow, and has done reporting in West Uttar Pradesh. He has won the Times Scribe Award four times including for busting fake news, and extensive coverage on Covid orphans. He graduated with a journalism degree from Times School of Journalism and BA (Honors) in English from Lucknow University.

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