Mangalore: Mailman who lost his legs on duty yearns for support

Naveen Menezes Gurpur
Pics: Ramesh Pandith
Daijiworld Media Network - Mangalore (NM)

Mangalore, Jul 16: Santhosh Kumar (43), an employee of Railway Mail Service (RMS), was happily going about his work for over two decades, until tragedy struck a year ago.

On April 14, 2012, M P Professor (52), another mailman, was killed and Santhosh Kumar (43) lost both his legs at Cantonment Railway Station, Mangalore, while exchanging the mail bags in the wee hours.

Although it’s more than a year since a train rammed into them while on duty, the Railway Mail Service (RMS) authorities have not responded satifactorily.

Professor died on the spot while both the legs of Santhosh Kumar were cut off. He was rushed to the Government Wenlock Hospital and then shifted to Yenepoya Hospital. “I had to undergo nine surgeries. My right leg is amputated from the knee while the left leg was cut from the ankle after the train rammed into me. The doctors put the left leg together but still it is of no use. It has no strength and is five inches shorter than before,” he says.

Santhosh Kumar joined the RMS as a daily wage earner in 1988. Later, based on his service, he was promoted to a government employee. He was almost settled in life then. “I built a house with the help of some loan thinking that I could repay them as I have a permanent job. I never thought my fate would turn so bad. It’s a year since I was bedridden. I cannot walk even one step,” he adds.

Initially, the department reimbursed the medical expenses directly to the hospital. Later, he got admitted thrice for the same treatment but the department directed him to pay to the bill and promised to reimburse him later. “I have been sending letters of expenses to the authorities concerned. But all have gone unanswered,” he says.

Besides, the postal department stopped releasing his salary without assigning any reason. “I have spent a lot on surgeries. I need an artificial limb for support. There is no source of income. In addition, I have to also look after my two small children and family. No one is supporting me,” laments Satosh.

Sources from the RMS department told Daijiworld, “The mail service employees are fortunate if the train arrives on the first track. If not, they have to get down from the platform – a depth of five feet - and cross the railway tracks along with the postal consignments and put it in the train compartments. It is a difficult work, especially as it goes on round-the-clock.”

Those who wish to help Santhosh Kumar may contact him in: 91 94498 09865 or 91 72041 57267.

Bank details: 

Santhosh Kumar
A/c: 20037444515
State Bank of India
Attavar Branch,
Mangalore - 575001

IFSC code: SBIN0001919
MICR Code: 575002015