Cop death

Lucknow, July 27: A police constable collapsed during a 10km run today for a physical test mandatory for promotion to inspector and died in hospital, triggering an uproar against the “cruel” endurance exam that claimed another cop last week.

A deputy superintendent of police who was conducting the test in Azamgarh, about 280km from Lucknow, said Ali Suzma “started off well” but fainted after crossing 5km.

The 37-year-old, who was posted in Ramnagar, Varanasi, leaves behind a family of five.

In all, 11 cops fainted during the run. Most of them were taken to the district hospital in Azamgarh where they were treated for dehydration and exhaustion. But Suzma couldn’t be revived. It wasn’t immediately clear if he was suffering from any chronic ailments.

On July 20, a policeman died while appearing for the physical test in Meerut. A day later, 30 policemen fainted from extreme heat while taking the test in another area in Azamgarh for promotion to sub-inspector.

Senior superintendent of police Bhagwan Swaroop said it was “extremely humid” in Azamgarh. “The heat and exhaustion may have taken toll as 11 candidates fainted while participating in the 10km run at the Police Lines ground this morning,” he told The Telegraph.

According to the rules of the Uttar Pradesh Police Recruitment and Promotion Board, candidates have to go through a physical standard test first, which includes a common eligibility test on height, chest and other basic body functioning. This is followed by a preliminary written exam. Candidates who clear this test are asked to appear for the physical endurance exam that includes running 10km in 75 minutes for men and 5km in 45 minutes for women.

The DSP who was conducting the test said Suzma didn’t say he was physically ill or unfit. “He started off well, but collapsed after going past 5km.”

Subesh Tripathi, a Varanasi-based 45-year-old who stayed away from today’s run, said the endurance test was “cruel” and “needs to be reviewed”.

Opposition politicians have joined a chorus of protests demanding the test be reviewed. “Let the physical endurance test be rational. No police officer is required these days to run for 10km to catch a thief,” said BJP spokesperson Vijay Bahadur Pathak.

“Why are candidates forced to go for the test when they are not physically fit,” said Samajwadi Party spokesperson Rajendra Chaudhary.

Uttar Pradesh director-general of police Karamveer Singh had told reporters in Lucknow recently that the endurance test was optional but “essential” for those who wanted promotion. “Often on police duty you have to run and run fast. However, if a candidate is not fit, he is asked not to go for the test,” he said.