Cops rush to help pregnant woman as traffic stalled for President’s convoy

Nagpur: Police personnel went beyond the call of duty, creating an emergency corridor to rush a pregnant woman in labour pain to AIIMS after she got stuck due to the security cordon created for President Droupadi Murmu's convoy on the Nagpur-Wardha road, on Wednesday.Going a step further, police also ensured the woman reached the hospital safely. In the process, the cops relaxed strict zero-tolerance guidelines for VVIP movement, a step that could have cost them their jobs as per rules had a security breach occurred.The incident occurred around 12.45pm, just as the President's convoy was returning from AIIMS for Lok Bhavann (Governor's house), when a patrolling team from Beltarodi police station received a distress call from Chinchbhuvan Square. A woman accompanying the pregnant woman, who was travelling in a cab, had stepped out to confront cops to highlight the urgency of the situation.Assistant police inspector Pankaj Kakde, head constable Prashant Thaokar and constable Ajay Neware sprang into action. They coordinated with the control room and senior inspector Mukund Kawade. With the help of bystanders, they cleared a narrow passage by moving aside around 80-100 two-wheelers and four-wheelers blocking the road.Kawade said traffic was halted when the President's convoy was heading towards Chhinchbhuvan. "The pregnant woman seemed in need of urgent assistance. Cops had no time to seek formal permissions and had to take a bold decision," said Kawade, adding he also urged a bike-borne cop to pilot the pregnant woman's car to ensure she could reach the hospital.