A govt rule has become a new cause of concern for the families of police officers who either died of COVID-19 or while on COVID-19 duty. As cops' families demand jobs in the state's police force, they are met with a new challenge — a government rule that says kin of officers only from the rank of a constable to assistant sub-inspector (ASI) would get jobs in their positions if they die on duty.

According to data, in the past three months, 85 police personnel have died due to COVID-19 in Mumbai. This includes six police sub-inspectors (PSIs) and assistant police inspectors (APIs) as well. The officers are API Bhagirath Adhav from Samta Nagar police station, PSI Amol Kulkarni from Shahu Nagar police station, PSI Sachin Patil from Vikhroli police station and three other officers from Palghar district. Their families met Cabinet minister Jitendra Awhad on Sunday and demanded jobs in the police force. When asked about the same, Awhad said, "I met the family members of the officers who died on duty and have assured them that their message will reach Home Minister Anil Deshmukh and they will get jobs."