'Abhaya' helps check crime against senior citizens

Since launch in December last, no incidents reported in the city

It seems ‘Abhaya’, a programme launched by the city police to ensure the safety of senior citizens at home, has been paying rich dividends. The programme, since its launch in December last, has helped in mitigating crime against the aged people.

It was during the fag end of 2013, a lonely woman at T K Layout in Saraswatipuram police limits was found dead at home, triggering panic among the people. Sucheta Devi, aged 70, a retired professor, had been murdered by a three-member gang. The prime accused in the case was working as car driver for the victim, which came to light during investigation.

Earlier, another senior citizen was found murdered at his home in V V Puram station limits. In this case, a person known to his (victim’s) daughter had did him to death, for the sake of money.

Not willing to take any chances, Police Commissioner M A Saleem devised an exclusive programme to ensure the safety of senior citizens. On December 21, 2013, ‘Abhaya’ was launched. Under the programme, it was decided to conduct a survey of senior citizens in all 16 police stations limits, in the city. The survey, till now, has identified 949 such elderly populace, in the age group of 60 and above.

The highest of 168 seniors reside in localities under the limits of Kuvempunagar station, while the lowest is six under Devaraja limits.

The dedicated police personnel develop a rapport with senior citizens and keep track of their well being, especially those who are rickety and stay glued to their house. If the lonely (senior) residents find it difficult to remit their water or electricity bills, the police personnel helps them either by paying the bills on their behalf or taking them to the designated counters.

ACP (KR sub-division) B T Kavitha, who went to the doorsteps of every such citizen on the first day of the new year, wished them on the occasion, besides enquiring about their well-being. Commissioner Saleem told Deccan Herald, the initiative has helped in curbing crimes against senior citizens at home. “It will be back on fast track again, once the men deployed on outside duty due to the recently concluded Lok Sabha elections, report to work,” he added.