Team Herald
PANJIM: In a heart-wrenching incident, 22-year-old police constable Prathamesh Gawade, recently posted at Vasco Railway Police Station, is feared to have ended his life by jumping off the new Zuari Bridge near Cortalim on Friday night, following struggles with personal issues, including family opposition to his relationship with a fellow constable.
Sources indicate that Gawade, who completed police training just six months ago, was involved in a serious relationship with a batchmate, also a police constable currently stationed nearby.
Although the couple had gone through a civil marriage registration without their families’ immediate knowledge, Gawade’s parents opposed the relationship, reportedly due to caste differences. This opposition took an emotional toll on him, especially as the woman’s family had been supportive of their union.
According to Konkan Railway Police records, Naik’s distress led him to this drastic action late on Friday. Agassaim Police, handling the investigation, recorded the statements from Gawade’s colleagues and the woman constable involved to piece together the circumstances leading up to the tragedy.
A large-scale search operation, involving multiple agencies, has been underway since the incident, but Gawade’s body remains unrecovered as of Saturday evening. The authorities continued their efforts around the Zuari River, hoping to close this distressing case.
The incident highlights the psychological pressures young officers face and raises questions about the need for support systems within the police force. Goa Police are expected to review this case closely, potentially initiating mental health programmes and counselling services for their personnel to prevent such tragedies in the future.