BHOPAL: There are only 67 elderly couples, or citizens, in Bhopal who live alone. Similarly, only 53 homes are vacant in Bhopal according to police data.
The Bhopal police had taken a few initiatives a year ago for the safety of elderly citizens and, for that, they had sought to register all the elderly citizens and maintain a database of vacant houses. It was all done to enhance safety around the vulnerable points. Also, the more frequent police movement around them, the more it would discourage anti-social elements from targeting them. Or such was the idea behind the initiative.
But, once announced, the department has forgotten to implement any such initiative.
Due to lack of advertisement, the beneficiaries could not be approached. Besides, these services are, generally, accessed online and elderly citizens, who are usually unfamiliar with the world of the Internet, remain deprived of these schemes.
At the time, the elderly residents of Bhopal who live alone and need safety were asked to register their details with the police. In case they needed any help, the police promised to be around. Similarly, the police had sought to register the details of vacant houses in Bhopal if the owners were away. Police patrolling would be increased around these houses and, thus, safety would be enhanced.
But, after a year, only 67 such elderly residents or couples have sought to connect with the police. Besides, 53 such house addresses are registered with the department. If the police had advertised these schemes with the help of local mohalla samitis, it would have been easier for the cops to reach the beneficiaries.
Top police officials say they are getting in touch with nagar suraksha samitis to come close to the vulnerable sections. They claim one of the their initiatives bore fruit as over 6,000 residents with CCTV cameras in their homes or business establishments have agreed to provide the feed to the police. The police had sought the cooperation of the residents in checking crime for which the CCTV feed from cameras installed across the city was needed, says additional superintendent of police Raajesh Singh.
