Cops to organise programme to create awareness among elderly on their rights

Kolkata: Bidhannagar Police Commissionerate has taken initiative to organise a programme to create awareness among elderly people on their rights.

This comes at a time when there have been some cases in different parts of the state in recent times, in which elderly people were harassed by their children. The programme will help the elderly people avoid such situations. Police had initiated a programme called Sanjhbati to provide assistance to elderly people in the area, under the jurisdiction of the Commissionerate.

At present, there are more than 1,300 elderly people who are members of the Sanjhbati project. Police are always at their doorsteps to help them in any need or in case they face any problem.

It may be recalled that Kolkata Police had been running a project called Pranam for several years, with the same purpose. The Bidhannagar Commissionerate has also initiated the same and is providing necessary support to elderly people. The step was taken when it was found that many elderly people often find themselves in helpless situations, having to stay alone.

Besides providing security and all necessary support to the elderly people, police are now also going to help them gain knowledge on the legal aspects of their rights. There will be a sensitisation programme in which the members of Sanjhbati will be present. Experts on the matter will deliver speech and the elderly people can also clarify their queries.

A senior police officer said that the Commissionerate organises get-togethers for the members of Sanjhbati. So, the event of the sensitisation programme is also going to be a get-together for them. If everything goes as planned, the event will take place on March 26.

There are dedicated police officers in every police station, who remain in touch with members of Sanjhbati in their respective areas. The top brass of the Commissionerate are also creating awareness among people, so that more elderly people become members of Sanjhbati.