Head constable Bellal Hussain is crestfallen that he could not receive a farewell from his colleagues as he retired from service during his stay at a quarantine centre in this lower Assam town.
Hussain, a resident of Baladmara Part-II village under Gauripur police station of Dhubri district, was posted at Dhubri Circuit House, but as he allegedly came in close contact with a Covid-19 patient of Bilasipara, he and other policemen were quarantined at the Dhubri Gurdwara mass quarantine centre on April 13.
Since then, Hussain had been staying in the quarantine centre, though he officially retired on April 30. Hussain was released from the quarantine centre on Saturday after staying there for 33 days.
Health officials said the policeman’s swab tests had been conducted and his report came negative.
“I served the police force for over 36 years. However, in the end, I came to know about my retirement only through a phone call. Unlike others, I not only missed my farewell from the department but also could not be with my family and friends during this emotional moment. I had to spend this emotional moment alone at this quarantine centre, without the presence of my loved ones,” an emotional Hussain told The Telegraph.
He joined the Assam Police battalion in 1984. Later, he joined the police force and was gradually promoted to the post of head constable (havildar). He served at many locations across the state during his career.
He said as more than two weeks had already passed since his retirement, the paperwork for his pension was pending. “I need to finish the formalities for my pension at the earliest. Without the pension amount, it will be tough for me and my family to spend our days,” Hussain said.
Quarantine: Health officials said 2,445 people have been put in 21 institutional quarantine centres across the district, of whom 739 were shifted to the facilities on Sunday.
The health department has collected 2,054 swab samples for testing, of which 1,390 have been found negative, while results of 651 are awaited.
