Kerala police commando found dead with bullet injuries in camp office, shots fired from service weapon

The police officer was reportedly under stress as authorities denied his repeated requests for leave

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A Kerala police commando was found dead at his camp office in Malappuram on Sunday night. According to reports, the officer killed self due to work stress.

The deceased police officer was identified as Vineeth (36), a commando with the Special Operation Group of the Kerala police. Vineeth is part of the Thunderbolt force engaged in anti-naxal operations.

According to police, Vineeth was found dead in the bathroom of his quarters at the Areekode camp office in Malappuram. Police personnel rushed to the bathroom and  Vineeth was found lying dead there with bullet injuries, police said. "He was found dead, shooting at himself. The reason for the extreme step is yet to be ascertained," a police officer said.

Police personnel took Vineeth to a private hospital nearby where doctors pronounced him dead. His body was shifted to a government hospital for autopsy.

According to reports, Vineeth, a native of Wayanad district was upset about not getting leave despite repeated requests. The officer had reportedly sought leave to take care of his pregnant wife.

The Kerala government, in October, announced it would study work stress faced by police personnel in the state. The move came after close to 90 police personnel killed themselves in five years. The study would reportedly look into various aspects including stress factors affecting police officers, circumstances leading to stress and how it impacts their daily lives. 

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