In a heartbreaking incident that has sent shockwaves through the community, a 27-year-old man aspiring to join the police force died of a fatal heart attack moments after completing his physical endurance test. The tragedy occurred on Monday morning at the SRP ground in Gondal, located near Rajkot in Gujarat.
Details of the Tragic Incident
The deceased has been identified as Nitin Chauhan, a resident of Malarwadi in Kodinar taluka of Gir Somnath district. According to police reports, Chauhan successfully completed the stipulated 5 km run in an impressive 23 minutes, which was ahead of the prescribed qualifying time for the recruitment drive.
Immediately after leaving the ground, he suffered severe chest pain and difficulty in breathing. He was promptly taken to the civil hospital for emergency treatment, but unfortunately, he could not be revived and was declared dead during the course of medical care.
Profile of the Deceased Aspirant
Nitin Chauhan was a highly educated individual, holding an MSc degree. He had tied the knot just about a year ago and had been diligently preparing for a career in policing for several years, showcasing his dedication and commitment to serving the community.
A police official involved in the incident stated, "He had completed the run and was returning when he suddenly complained of chest discomfort and collapsed. Medical teams provided first aid and rushed him to the hospital, but he could not be revived."
A Pattern of Similar Tragedies
This is not an isolated incident in the state of Gujarat. In fact, it marks the third such fatality during police recruitment drives this month alone, raising serious concerns about the safety protocols in place.
- On January 23, 27-year-old Jaspal Rathwa of Koliyari village in Chhota Udepur's Pavi Jetpur taluka died of cardiac arrest while taking the running test for state police constable selection in Godhra.
- Just a day earlier, on January 22, 25-year-old aspirant Ravirajsinh Jadeja of Kutch collapsed and died after completing a similar 5 km run for police sub-inspector recruitment in Bharuch.
Official Response and Future Measures
In light of these consecutive tragedies, officials have acknowledged the need for immediate action. They have announced plans to review and strengthen safety protocols and medical screening procedures at recruitment centres across the state.
The primary focus will be on ensuring that emergency medical support is adequate and readily available to prevent such incidents in the future. This review aims to address potential gaps in the current system and implement more robust measures to safeguard the health and well-being of all aspirants during these physically demanding tests.
The community and authorities alike are mourning the loss of these young lives, highlighting the urgent need for enhanced safety measures in recruitment processes to prevent further tragedies.
