Policemen are tasked with safeguarding the lives and properties of citizens, yet they often lack similar protection themselves while on duty. This is particularly evident at Kerala’s Varkala helipad, where officers work from a precarious building that could collapse at any time.
Located at the Varkala Papanasham helipad, the police aid post is alarmingly close to the edge of a cliff that is at risk of falling into the sea. Recent heavy rains have caused significant erosion of the cliff, further endangering the structure of the aid post. Despite these risks, policemen continue to serve and ensure the safety of tourists visiting Varkala from this unstable location.
The aid post was constructed in 2020, adjacent to the hill, adhering to regulations that prohibit building on one side of the cliff. Residents express concerns that if the post isn’t relocated, a serious accident could occur. They urge that immediate action be taken to ensure the safety of the police officers working there.
Such incidents of escalating tension have become more frequent as similar incidents took place at the KSRTC bus station in the South and Vyttila hub, especially on weekends when the rush of commuters is heavy. This increase in clashes is attributed to the fact that the round-the-clock police presence has been removed after the Police Aid Post buildings have fallen into disrepair.
According to a KSRTC official, the presence of police forces used to act as a deterrent to unsavoury incidents. “Until two years ago, at least a few policemen were deployed round the clock at the KSRTC bus station in the south. However, with the reduction in police presence, there has been a significant increase in clashes, especially during peak hours on Friday and Saturday evenings,” the official said.
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