From ordinary to special ,this traffic cop moistens every eye

Sameer Ahmad

Anantnag 03 January: There are people who might not be rich not even famous, but their purpose is always bigger than life and when they leave this world they leave a void in our hearts forever. Their presence is always felt and their absence is always missed.

Mohd Shafi khan,  63-year-old traffic cop,  resident of Gopalpora Anantnag, died recently due to cardiac arrest while on duty in the Janglatmandi area of South Kashmir’s Anantnag district on Wednesday afternoon. Khan, a resident of Gopalpora Anantnag, was on duty when the fatal incident took place.

Khan was not into any glamourous job or had any high profile background, yet social media flooded with mourning messages for this ordinary man.

Khan after his retirement from Army was posted as SPO in J&K Police. Khan, a familiar face at Janglatmandi Anantnag signal was known for his honesty and discipline, he exhibited while performing his duty. During his entire tenure, while being posted at Jangalatmandi, Khan made it a point to personally intervene in order to reduce the traffic congestion. He could always be seen working on his toes and performing his duty in extreme conditions. An underpaid cop, yet so nimble at his job, truly satisfied who believed in doing his bit.

Khan’s work was acknowledged and he received recognition for it at the district level. Many people in Anantnag believe,” without  late Muhammad Shafi Khan, no one can  fix the traffic system in a busy place like Janglat Mandi  Anantnag,”

Khan is survived by his four children. A few months back, in a cruel twist of fate, Khans wife was declared dead, while undergoing a medical check up at GMC Anantnag . She died due to cardiac arrest in the hospital courtyard.

Various people including some top officials condoled the death of Mohd Shafi khan on social media as they posted their walls with heartfelt messages for the hero who sang his last tune while being on duty.

One of the Facebook users wrote, “Shocking to hear about the Sad demise of Mohammad Shafi Khan, a police Cop who was always on duty at Janglatmandi Anantnag. He died today while performing his duty due to sudden Cardiac Arrest. This was the man who once didn’t allow District Development Commissioner Anantnag’s conclave to violate Traffic Rules, he Categorically told District Development Commissioner Anantnag’s Driver, ‘Rule is Rule for everyone’. May almighty Allah SWT Rest your Soul in the highest place in Jannat-ul-Firdous”. A user wrote on his  Facebook page.

Another user wrote,” today the police department in Anantnag has lost an asset in its organization. One of the most dedicated and sincere cops, which I have ever seen. May you rest in peace Khan sahib.”

”Shafi Khan a traffic Police Cop who was posted at Janglat Mandi Anantnag was an example, an inspiration as a true serviceman. A dedicated person who was always on duty”.wrote another user.

While death is inevitable, Khan will always be remembered for his slice of contribution towards people.

Khan has set an important lesson for us to learn that we must  remain dedicated to our work, no matter whether it is small or big, we must be humbled by our own success, our greatness will be realized when its voiced by the mouths of others as James E. Faust mentions.