Pregnant police officer in Odisha prefers Covid-19 duty to maternity leave
BHUBANESWAR: In eight months pregnancy, any working woman would avail maternity leave. But at this stage, police sub-inspector (SI) Mamata Mishra in Mayurbhanj district chose the dangerous Covid-19 duty, drawing accolades from different quarters, including DGP Abhay.
“During my Mayurbhanj visit yesterday (Tuesday), I met SI Mamta Mishra. This braveheart in eighth-month of pregnancy insists on working. In view of her health, she is given duty at Betnoti police station and not on road or checkpoint. My compliments to her,” tweeted DGP’s Twitter handle on Wednesday.
Mamata’s unwavering commitment to Covid-19 duty came amid sacrifices of scores of other police personnel, who are being hailed as frontline corona warriors, akin to the healthcare professionals.
Mamata, who was recruited to Odisha police recently, joined Betnoti police station as her first posting on January 20, 2019. “It was my own decision to discharge Covid-19 lockdown duty, though my seniors and colleagues have been persuading me to avail maternity leave. I am planning to apply for leave after the end of extended lockdown on May 3. For my safety and good health of me and my baby, my seniors are not assigning me on any arduous duty,” said Mamata, who is not conducting patrolling in vehicles and registering FIRs in police stations.
Mamata also exhibited tremendous resolve in the crisis situation by taking care of herself alone in home. “My husband Bedaprakash Nanda is also a police sub-inspector, posted at Bisoi police station, about 85km from my police station. He is unable to visit me regularly because of his tight schedule of lockdown duty. I have to take care of myself and my baby in womb. My family members and in-laws could not visit me due to lockdown,” said Mamata, who belonged to Jajpur district.
Earlier on Monday, DGP Abhay was all praises of two women police personnel in Sundergarh district after the duo postponed their weddings and joined Covid-19 duty. Home guard Tilotama Meher’s wedding was scheduled for April 12 while constable Sunita Adha was scheduled to tie the knot on April 25.
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