Police take steps for more safety for senior citizens

THANE: As crimes against senior citizens have been rising, the Thane police have come up with an initiative for their safety and security.

Kartavya, or one’s duty, will be launched on Independence Day by cricketer Sachin Tendulkar.

City’s senior citizens, Thane police and Tata Institute of Social Sciences (TISS) and Centre for Lifelong Learning have taken the initiative to come up with a tollfree helpline for senior citizens 1090. A special team has been formed to take the calls.

According to a survey by Thane police, there were 7.7 crores senior citizen in 2011 Census. It has now increased by 30% — to 10.30 crore.

A senior police inspector from Thane commissionerate said the initiative will have three steps.

“First, the police will reach out to all housing societies to take the count of senior citizens. They will be categorise into three brackets. The senior citizens living alone would come under most vulnerable category, those living with relatives who are out of the house the entire day would form the second category and those who have at least one person living full time with them will be the third one,” said the police.

The city has seen a rise in crimes against senior citizens. Robbery, thefts, chain snatching, throwing them to out of the house, torturing them mentally and physically are some of the harassment faced by the elderly.

Joint commissioner of police, Thane, Ashutosh Dumbare, said, “Thane is working to curb down crimes against senior citizens. The initiative aims at protecting the elderly.”

In the second phase, the police will seek assistance of youth and citizen groups. “Volunteers will monitor and visit the elderly to tackle the problems they are facing regularly. In the third phase, we will provide them medical aid, mental security and any other help they need. Senior citizens are usually targeted because they do not file cases,” said the police.

ACCORDING TO A SURVEY, THERE WERE 7.7 CRORES SENIOR CITIZEN IN 2011 CENSUS. IT HAS NOW INCREASED BY 30%