Kolkata Police AC wins as COVID warrior but loses battle to the virus; 9th officer to die so far – Times Now

Kolkata News

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Key Highlights

  • Another Kolkata Police officer dies due to COVID-19. More than 1500 infected so far
  • The AC ranking officer was admitted to a private hospital on July 16.
  • So far, nine police officers from Kolkata Police have died due to the virus.

Kolkata: After battling for over a month, Uday Shankar Banerjee, 54-year-old Assistant Commissioner with Kolkata Police, succumbed to COVID- 19 in the wee hours of Friday morning. He is the senior-most ranking officer from Kolkata Police unit and also across the state to have died due to the virus.

He was admitted to a private hospital off EM Bypass in Kolkata on July 16 after he tested positive in the second week of last month. While he didn’t have any known serious medical history but doctors at the hospital claim his lungs’ condition deteriorated, thus requiring advanced medical intervention.

Banerjee becomes the ninth Kolkata Police officer who has died to the virus as a COVID Warrior. More than 4,000 police personnel have been infected across the state, including around 1,500 from Kolkata Police Unit alone. Out of all the eight previous deceased from Kolkata Police, none of them had any major co-morbidity issue and all aged between 45 and 55 years. 

The state government of Mamata Banerjee has hailed the service of Kolkata Police and state police as an incredible, unforgettable contribution, selfless service to the nation and people while risking their own lives amidst these uncertain times of the pandemic. Boosting the morale of police force, the state government has honoured them with special COVID Warrior Medals, announced September 1 to be celebrated as Police Day in the state of West Bengal from now on, as a mark of respect to their ‘indomitable courage’.

The state government has also embraced a uniform gradation system in the unarmed unit to give equal opportunity to women in the Police force for promotion.

Banerjee has served as the Officer in Charge at three different police stations in Kolkata including Park Street and Behala. His wife, too, reportedly is positive. Kolkata Police have maintained their pledge to people while mourning every death of one of their own.

The numbers in the state of West Bengal have seen a massive surge prompting government to impose complete lockdown in a staggered manner, intermittently, these are days of additional responsibility for police to ensure people stay indoors and do not violate the lockdown restrictions, meaning further exposure over and above the everyday risks. Many Kolkata Police COVID survivors have resumed duty after recovery without taking a prolonged break, displaying exemplary courage and commitment.

Source: https://www.timesnownews.com/kolkata/article/kolkata-police-ac-wins-as-covid-warrior-but-loses-battle-to-the-virus-9th-officer-to-die-so-far-from-kp/640451