The dead body of the young Kerala policeman, who died after a boat capsized, was taken to his native village of Alisseril near Punnapra in Alappuzha on December 19. 27-year old Balu, who was attached to the Special Armed Police Peroorkada in Thiruvananthapuram, died on the afternoon of Saturday, December 18. The boat capsized on the Anchuthengu lake at Panayilkadavu near Kadakkavoor in the outskirts of Thiruvananthapuram.
His mortal remains were kept for his colleagues to pay tribute at the SAP camp before they were taken to his native village. Ministers V Sivankutty and GR Anil, State Police Chief Anil Kant and other senior officers paid homage to him at the camp. The body was escorted by the police to Punnapra. Balu is a graduate in Civil Engineering and Economics. He joined the service in September. He is survived by father D Suresh and mother Anila Das.
It was while investigating a murder case and searching for the accused that the policeman lost his life. Balu was a part of the police team of four, including Circle Inspector of Varkala Police Station VS Prasanth and two others. While a rescue mission managed to save the other three officers, Balu was trapped in the river's mud, and could not be retrieved.
"Water entered in the boat and I stopped the engine, thinking I would anchor the boat. But the boat soon capsized. I swam with one person each on both sides. The third one was also swimming behind us," boatman Vasanthan told Mathrubhumi. Madhu, a local resident, who heard screaming during the incident, immediately ventured into the spot with his boat. Three men and Vasanthan caught hold of Madhu's boat and were rescued. It was then they realised that one person was missing. Balu was found after a 30-minute search was conducted. He was rushed to the hospital but he ultimately succumbed.
Balu was deputed to the Varkala police station in connection with the famous Sivagiri pilgrimage. Anil Kant recalled that Balu was an outstanding policeman.