A police constable from Chennai shot himself to death on duty yesterday, which happens to be his 26th birthday.

The victim, identified as Manikandan, was a native of Pallipattu in Tiruvallur. He was a BSc graduate who joined the force about two years ago and was recently posted at the office of the inspector general of police at Kilpauk Armed Reserve headquarters where he allegedly shot himself by placing a rifle on the side of his forehead. After a brief investigation, it was determined that Manikandan might have died owing to the fact that his longtime girlfriend got married to a guy last month that caused him depression. 

A senior police officer, when questioned about stress due to work being a probable cause of death, stated, “Usually, 16 personnel are posted on a four-hour shift so they can get enough rest.” Manikandan's father Kannan reportedly stated that he was not aware of his son's misery as he seemed pretty normal the last few days. It was the victim's friends who opened up about his love affair to the police during the investigation. 

Soon after he shot himself early Sunday morning, he was rushed to the Kilpauk Medical College Hospital where he was declared dead on arrival.
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