ALAPPUZHA: More than 800 officers are voluntarily retiring from the police force, unable to bear the neglect and pressure. 832 applications were received at the police headquarters till the end of October. CPOs to SIs are among them. More than a thousand officers have left the police force at various times after getting jobs in other departments.

Alappuzha Narcotics Cell DySP C Rajeev Kumar had voluntarily retired recently. He remained in that position for only one and a half years. He had six years of service left. Although he cited personal issues as the reason for voluntarily retiring from service, it is learnt that pressure and bad experiences from the political bigshots forced him to give up the job.

Rajeev, an MBA holder, joined the police force as an SI in 2003. He worked for around 20 years in law enforcement, intelligence and marine enforcement and has a good reputation as a police officer. Rajeev, who arrived in Alappuzha six months ago from Kottayam, was on medical leave while working in the Narcotics Cell. He retired within months of returning to work. He could have reached the rank of SP. An expert in graphic designing, he has now joined a leading advertising company.

Nabbed 36 goons in 6 months
Rajeev, who was also in charge of the Kaapa cell while he was the Special Branch DySP in Kottayam, had nabbed 36 goons within six months on the instructions of SP Karthik. It is a record that so many gangsters were nabbed within six months in the state. He had also chased and subdued a gang which attempted to smuggle cables of BSNL in a truck in Chengannur.

No leave, concerns about action

There are three main reasons why police officers are leaving their jobs.
1. Not getting leave even after informing higher officials about sickness

2. Having to work more than 18 hours a day

3. Fearing one might face action for an offence that one did not commit