Police personnel on Sabarimala duty who have to stand for long hours will be allowed to take a seat from the upcoming annual pilgrimage season.
In a significant decision, Kottayam District Police Chief K. Karthik declared that the police officers on pilgrimage duty need not have to be on their feet throughout the duty hours. Addressing a meeting convened recently to review the security arrangements at Erumely, a key base station of the temple, the officer suggested that there was no problem in those posted on security and traffic duty sitting on the chairs in between.
“Standing for long periods of time is part of the job description of police officers. But to be at work with minimal or no breaks is very demanding and can have an impact on their efficiency as well. It is against this backdrop that I have requested the traders and voluntary organisations to provide them chairs at their duty points,” said Mr. Karthik.
