Tamil Nadu CM Vijay announces Rs 30 lakh aid for family of constable who died during I-Day duty

Tamil Nadu Chief Minister C Joseph Vijay on Aug 16 announced financial assistance of Rs 30 lakh to the family of a police constable who died after collapsing while on duty during the Independence Day parade at Fort St George.

The deceased was identified as A. Dharmaraj, 56, a Grade-I Police Constable serving with the band unit of the Tamil Nadu Special Police Regimental Centre in Avadi.

Dharmaraj was deployed for ceremonial duty at the Independence Day celebrations held at Fort St George and reportedly collapsed suddenly while participating in the parade, prompting police personnel and officials at the venue to rush to his assistance.

He was immediately taken to the Rajiv Gandhi Government General Hospital in Chennai for emergency medical care. Doctors attempted to stabilise his condition and continued treatment, but he failed to respond and subsequently died at the hospital.

The incident cast a pall of gloom over the Police department, particularly among officers and personnel associated with the Tamil Nadu Special Police and its regimental band unit.

Dharmaraj had been assigned an important ceremonial responsibility during one of the state’s most prominent official events.

Expressing deep sorrow over the constable’s death, Vijay said Dharmaraj’s passing was an irreparable loss not only to his family but also to the Tamil Nadu Police. He acknowledged the constable’s service to the department and his commitment to duty during the Independence Day programme.

The Chief Minister extended his heartfelt condolences to Dharmaraj’s family members, relatives, friends and police colleagues. He said the state government stood with the bereaved family during the difficult period. Vijay directed the authorities concerned to provide Rs 30 lakh as financial relief to the constable’s family. The assistance is intended to support the dependants following the sudden death of the family’s breadwinner.

Dharmaraj’s death also drew expressions of sympathy from members of the police force, with colleagues mourning the loss of a fellow officer who collapsed while carrying out his official responsibilities.

The Independence Day parade at Fort St George involves personnel from different police wings. Band units play an important role in the ceremonial proceedings, including the march-past and other events associated with the state’s official celebrations.

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