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        Restless, irritated, short-tempered and frustrated are 19 policemen, who stand on the Anna Flyover almost round-the-clock to maintain vigil on and around the American Consulate, Chennai.

A policeman on vigil near American Consulate, Chennai.

Housed in a small outpost, these policemen get little sleep amidst the noise of speeding vehicles, mosquitoes and gadget sounds.         This is a typical routine for these men. The lighter moments absent in their lives are simple pleasures of seeing children go to school, playing with them, attending family functions, having a quiet evening with their wives. The khaki -clad men see their children fast asleep when they leave for duty or when they return home to have a bite of the leftovers.         Receiving a wake-up call in the morning, they quickly have some snacks, at best an apology for breakfast and take position in one of the lists of duties as instructed by their seniors.         When enquired about their working condition, a constable on condition of anonymity said that policing has been a challenging task here. 'We should be alert all the time, keeping an eye on any suspicious person or object. Even if there is a breakdown of any of the government buses particularly on the flyover, we receive a call from the Consulate and we need to keep extra vigil until the bus is moved out, he added.

        Another constable said, 'at least now we are provided with a fan, a toilet. Until now, we did not have proper drinking water facilities and toilets. It was the nearby petrol bunk staff members who used to help us out at times of emergency.'

        He further said, 'since there is shortage of police personnel we are forced to work extra hours during night'.

        However despised by society at times and hated by lawbreakers all times they still have to be level- headed and give their life to protect society.