Bilaspur cop comes to aid of Bengali family stranded due to lockdown

Lalit Mohan

Tribune News Service

Dharamsala, May 23

At a time when social distancing is being advised and people are shirking to meet even their close friends and relatives amid Covid pandemic, a police head constable in Bilaspur has set an example by accommodating a family of four tourists from West Bengal in his house.

Sajal Mondal a contractor from the Jadavpur area of West Bengal came to Shimla on March 14 with his family, including wife Rupali and children Fantasy and Abir, and left for Manali in a taxi on March 22.

However, the taxi driver, who belonged to Shimla, dropped the family outside a dhaba in Sundernagar after nationwide lockdown was announced by Prime Minister Narendra Modi.

Stranded, the family took a room on rent from the dhaba owner and started staying there. The dhaba owner charged Rs 1,200 for the room and provided them food on paid basis.

Since the lockdown was extended, the family ran out of money. On May 4, head constable Prakash Chand noticed the family standing outside the dhaba. On enquiry, he came to know that the family had run out of cash and the dhaba owner was not ready to accommodate them anymore.   

Prakash Chand tried to reason with the dhaba owner but he refused to entertain the family till the payment was made. After that the head constable, who owns a house in Sundernagar, brought the family to his home.

The tourist family is now staying with Prakash Chand’s family and has formed a bond with them.

Talking to The Tribune, Prakash Chand said he could not leave the family stranded on road in these difficult.

“My entire family has become friendly with the family of tourists from Bengal. They are making Bengali dishes for us and we are enjoying it. We will accommodate them till the lockdown is not over and they can safely go back to their home after that,” said Prakash Chand.

Sajal Mandal said Prakash Chand had come to their rescue like a God sent messenger and he and his family would never be able pay back for his kindness.

Prakash Chand’s humanitarian gesture has been rewarded by SP, Bilsapur, Diwakar Sharma who has given him a commendation certificate and a cash ward of Rs 1,100.