Senior citizens were appealed to inform the police if they go out of the city, apart from completing verification of their domestic helps. SP City Ajay Singh said this while meeting senior citizens to raise awareness on crimes aimed at senior citiznes in Dehradun on Sunday.
In the past, several incidents related to senior citizens were reported in the State capital wherein the house of senior citizens was burglarised either by their domestic help or by criminals in their absence. There have been cases of senior citizens being robbed in the market area or thugs duping them to withdraw cash from their accounts. Taking cognisance of this, SP City Singh chaired a meeting with senior citizens and directed them to follow some guidelines to protect themselves from criminals. The senior citizens should complete police verification of their tenants and domestic helps.
They should avoid seeking help from unknown persons in market places and in banks and Government offices they should approach the officials for assistance. Apart from reliable neighbours, the local police station or anti-theft cell should be informed if they go out of town. The SP told the senior citizens to report their problems in the senior citizen cell which has been established in the SSP office. Their concerns will be redressed on priority basis.
Singh said that anti-thief cell, senior citizen cell and other cells have already been established at SSP office to ensure that police respond swiftly after the occurrence of the crime and for ensuring redressal of registered report. One sub-inspector and four constables are deputed here. At least, one constable is on duty at any given time throughout the day. He appealed the senior citizens and general public to inform the police by calling the anti-theft cell number or 100 or the local police station number if they leave the city for some days. After receiving their report in the cell, police would inspect their home from time to time, he said.
A senior citizen said, “We appreciate this step aimed at facilitating redressal of our problems. Such initiatives could relieve the senior citizens of anxiety about their security.”
Observers opined that though district police have formed senior citizen cell, anti theft cell and other cells with intent to redress public concerns, due to lack of awareness or police failure to restore public confidence, Doon residents tend to avoid informing the police in case they leave town for a few days. The general public perception is that involving the police entails hassles.