Purnia chill claims cop's life

KISHANGANJ: A sub-inspector (SI), Ajit Kumar, died of cold at the police lines barrack in the wee hours of Wednesday.
Kishanganj SDPO told TOI on Wednesday that Kumar, an SI of the 1994 batch, was found dead on his bed at the police lines barrack. He died due to cold, the SDPO said. Kumar had retired for the night at the police lines barrack after patrol duty.
Kumar, who hailed from Gaya district, was a father of two children. He had complained of severe cold before retiring for the night, a colleague said.
The SDPO said dwellers of kutcha buildings and people forced to sleep on the ground are having a terrible time due to the cold.
"You cannot imagine how we live in a hut with three small children," Mona, a domestic help in Purnia, said.
Kishanganj Congress MLA Dr Javed, who visited the barrack after the SI's death, said he would urge the state government to facilitate better living conditions for the policemen across the state.
Another unidentified person fell victim to the severe cold conditions prevailing throughout Purnia division. His body was found lying near the railway station in Kishanganj on Wednesday.
The sweeping cold wave has claimed a dozen lives across the four districts in Purnia division. Six persons succumbed to severe cold in Kishanganj during the last three days. Five persons are reported to have died due to cold in Purnia district.
With no let-up in the harsh weather conditions, normal life has been seriously affected across the division and people have been forced into remaining indoors both in the morning and evening hours.