Too much pressure, too little time for self

CHENNAI: An inspector in North Chennai has been transfered four times in the past six months and was not given any reason for his transfer. "He works honestly and sincerely," says his colleague, as if giving the reason for his frequent transfers.
He is among the hundreds of inspectors in the state working under impossible conditions no promotions, lack of transparency in the system, ungodly working hours, immense work pressure and many superiors to report to.
Many inspectors in the city allege that theirs is the most thankless job in the police system. "About 500 of us, including G Rajasekhar of Mylapore who committed suicide on Friday, passed out in the year 1996. And 30 of them are no more. They have either commmitted suicide or died in accidents," says an inspector of that batch.
Even the police standing order followed is an archaic one, say some inspectors. "Even after Independence, the laws were not changed and no real reforms have taken place," says one who has been in service for the past 16 years.
While a constable has four levels or promotion and an IPS officer five, an inspector only has two levels. Neither is there any proper increment in salary for an inspector, say sources. With each inspector reporting to at least five superiors, it becomes difficult to satisfy all of them. "The majority opinion is always against us and we are always held responsible for everything," says one.
While inspectors in places like Chennai work for about 18 hours a day and can at least come back to the family, those in rural areas work almost round the clock and see their families once in a blue moon, according to most inspectors. "When posted in a rural area, we keep our families in urban areas because better facilities like school and hospitals are available there," says another inspector who has served in many rural areas in the state.
An inspector who met with an accident while chasing robbers on duty and suffered a head injury is currently fighting a losing battle with the police department. It is refusing to recognise his injury and grant medical leave saying he caused the injury himself. "After 16 years of service, this is what I am facing and I am vexed. The only difference between Rajasekhar and me is that he has committed sucide and I have not," he says.
Talking about Rajasekar, many said, "Rajasekar was a man of integrity. A very polite and educated person and the kind of policeman who would have been an asset to any police station. He paid for his forthrightness with his life. The system always gets the better of you."