Bengaluru: Constable covers manhole, earns laurels

BENGALURU: A police constable, who chose to cover a manhole instead of waiting for civic personnel to arrive, has been lauded by citizens as well as his seniors.
Girish M, 32, was praised online for saving lives after photographs of his deed were published.
Around 10pm on Sunday, Girish M, 32, was driving his police jeep on 18th Cross in HSR Layout’s Sector 3 when the uncovered manhole caught his attention.On seeing a woman and her daughter walking very close to it, Girish stopped the jeep and walked towards them. The constable from HSR Layout station picked up a big stone lying nearby and covered the manhole, without realising he was being photographed by a passer-by.
By Monday morning, the photo went viral and earned appreciation from senior officers, including deputy commissioner of police (southeast) Isha Pant.
Girish felt it was his duty to cover the manhole. “People should be aware of such hazards. I think we should not wait for civil agencies, but volunteer and tackle issues ourselves,” he told TOI.
Hailing from Shivamogga, Girish is a 2007 batch constable. A father of two daughters — the elder is three and half years old and younger just eight months — Girish loves to do volunteer work.
“Recently, a constable’s minor daughter died of burn injuries. I read the news and was deeply moved. Since then, I have been attending to all such issues,” he said.
Isha Pant told TOI police should volunteer more towards such problems. “Girish saw the manhole and acted quickly. We shouldn’t wait for anyone. Girish acted like a responsible citizen,” she said.