Kolkata Police mulls inclusion of women between 60 and 65 yrs under ambit of 'Pronam'

Kolkata: Kolkata Police is mulling to add elderly women between the age of 60-65 years under the ambit of 'Pronam', despite the criteria being that only persons above the age of 65 years can be a member of the organisation.

On Tuesday, an interactive session with 'Pronam' members was arranged by Kolkata Police at Alipore Bodyguard Lines, where Additional Commissioner of Police (IV) Ashoke Kumar Prasad, along with other senior police officials stated that they are planning to take several steps in order to secure the elderly citizens of Kolkata. It was also announced that the method of offline registration for new members has been reintroduced as many of the elderly citizens face trouble operating the modern technology.

On Tuesday, 'Pronam' members from Tollygunge, Lake, Bhowanipore, Chetla, Garfa, New Alipore, Gariahat and Metiabruz police station areas were present at the Bodyguard Lines auditorium, where Kolkata Police officials talked about some dos and don'ts which are essential to stay safe from antisocial elements. During the programme, elderly citizens were also sensitised about the recent trend of bank frauds.

Following the bank-related awareness, police officials requested the Pronam members to lock the doors of their houses and use magic eye, auto lock and other security features in order stay safe. Taking the instance of the recent murders at Netaji Nagar, 'Pronam' members have been requested to inform the local police station as well as the 'Pronam' authorities, if any labourers get called at their home for work.

Prasad also stated that as per criteria, only those elderly persons who reside alone and are above the age of 65 years, can be members of 'Pronam'. Since the women are more vulnerable, Kolkata Police is mulling to add women above 60 years of age as well. For men, the criteria will remain the same as earlier. "We are looking into this and will do the needful soon," said Prasad.

During the programme, several elderly citizens advised some steps which the senior police officials accepted and stated that they are looking into them. Subhas Pal Chowdhury, a resident of Tollygunge, suggested to install an alarm system in the houses of 'Pronam' members which would be connected with police control room as well as the local police station.

Another elderly person suggested a WhatsApp group in every police station's jurisdiction, so that the 'Pronam' members can be in touch with each other and police officials.