Mangalore, July 17: Santhosh Kumar, aged 43, was an employ of Railway mail service (RMS) and was happy with his work. He was struck with tragedy on April 14,2012,while exchanging the mail bags and lost his both the legs at cantonment railway station,Mangalore.Along with him another mailman M P Professor, aged 52 was killed in the process.
Santhosh was rushed to government Wenlock hospital and then shifted to Yenepoya hospital, where his both legs have been severed and had to undergo nine surgeries.
Narrating his sobbing story, he said his right leg has been amputated from the knee and the left leg was cut from the ankle after the train rammed on to him. Though doctor put the left leg together but still it is of no use. It has no strength and is five inch shorter than before, he says.
Although it is more than a year now since a train rammed into him while on duty, the railway mail service (RMS) has not responded satisfactorily, he added.
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,” he said
RMS sources said that “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 want to help Santhosh Kumar, may contact him through his mobile number 0091-9449809865 or 091-7204157267 or may remit the money directly to his account number.Santhosh Kumar,SB A/c No.20037444515,State bank of India,Attavara,Mangalore-575001.IFSC Code:SBIN0001919,MICR Code:575002015
