NEW DELHI (NDTV),February 18, 2008:
The story of the elderly misery remains same from Mumbai to Delhi. However, some are now taking matters into their own hands.
In the last two years, 25 senior citizens have been killed and 28 have been attacked during thefts at their own homes.
The question is what can Delhi's seniors do to protect themselves?
At the age of 84, K N Bhutani, resident of Gitanjali Enclave, New Delhi leads a quiet life with his wife. For 28 year, his three-bedroom house has been their home.
After both their sons moved out, they hired live-in help to watch over them. Their house was broken into, late at night eight years ago. Mr. Bhutani found himself looking at a group of four young armed men. Mr. Bhutani and his wife were not hurt after they handed over all their cash and jewellery.
Since then, the Bhutanis worry everyday about their safety.
K. N. Bhutani says, ''the outside gate is locked now. I have got a bigger gate installed have also got the height of the boundary wall raised. I have got another door installed here that are always locked. It can't be a quiet entry like it was last time. If somebody wants to come inside he will have to jump over that gate and come.''
What helps reassure the Bhutanis is a weekly visit from the Delhi Police. Last year, the police began a new service, senior citizens can register with their local police station. In return, the police make house calls, inspect their homes, advise them on security arrangements and verify their domestic help. Constable Anil Sharma is now a regular visitor at the Bhutani house. In addition to checking up on them, he knows exactly whom to call in an emergency on their behalf.
Saroj Bhutani, a senior citizen says, ''there is some comfort in knowing that they are concerned about us. But how effective it is, I can't say. Anything can happen when they are not there. It is comforting to a certain extent. For one thing the servants, they know that the police come here occasionally and that if anything is amiss they would get into trouble.''
So far, 5,000 senior citizens in Delhi have signed up for this service, to retaliate against the crime against them.
Looking at the past, we find several occurrence of crime against the elderly.
Two years ago, 16 senior citizens were murdered in Delhi according to police records that don't include unregistered cases. Last year, 12 senior citizens were killed and this year, the toll till now, with 12 South Delhi residents above the age of 60 getting killed at home.
The police have urged Delhi to make use of its new door-to-door service. Senior citizens can register at their local police station. They can also log onto www.delhipolice.nic.in or call helpline 1291, following which, registration forms is sent to home.
DCP Anil Shukla says, ''the idea is to involve more and more policemen and get them sensitized with the issues of senior citizen. There has been a mutual trust relationship, built over the years. However its not only about prevention of crime but also installation of some kind of sense of security among them.''
For the Senior Citizen's Security Cell to be effective, it is important that the elderly are first made aware of the existing rights at their local police station so that they can come forward, get registered and take advantage of the scheme.
© Copyright NDTV Convergence Limited 2008
