Missing civil police officer traced

KOLLAM: A civil police officer on Sabarimala duty who went missing two days ago was located on Sunday at Pathanapuram. He was found to be in a highly disturbed state of mind and was taken to the Punalur police station. Police sources said he would be admitted to a hospital. The police officer, identified as Suresh, is attached to the Paripally police station in Kollam. He had kept his uniform and wireless set at the police control room at Sabarimala before he went missing. Though a search was launched by the Forest authorities and the police in various places, including the dense forests, he could not be traced. On Sunday, Suresh was found wandering around Pathanapuram town wearing only a lungi. Police sources said Suresh had some personal problems. There are also reports that he was reluctant to be on duty at Sabarimala because of these problems.