Police launch door-to-door drive for security of elderly

Kolkata: Barasat district police started a comprehensive campaign by visiting homes of elderly citizens to collect information that could help the cops to draw plans to step up vigilance in residential areas.

The campaign was started after a number of theft incidents took place in Barasat town and its adjoining areas in the recent past. A similar initiative was earlier taken up by the Kolkata police following Chief Minister Mamata Banerjee's instruction early this year.

Senior police officers from Barasat police district are visiting door-to-door to collect information about senior citizens and prepare a database. They will also assess the existing security measures which are in place in residential areas.

A senior police officer in Barasat said there were a few theft and dacoity incidents where elderly couples become soft targets. Officers are visiting the houses of elderly citizens and this exercise will continue in the future, the officer said.

The police found that miscreants had been targeting homes where elderly couples live alone. This has become a concern for police officers in the district. During Durga Puja, some miscreants barged into Sukamal Kanti Das's house, who is an elderly person and a resident of Pioneer Park in Barasat. The miscreants attacked Das and looted valuables. The incident occurred when he was alone in the house. Prior to this another theft incident took place at Nabapally of Barasat. Ornaments were looted from the house of senior citizen Bhagabat Mondal.

Senior police officers on Monday evening visited the house of Tridib Dasgupta in plain clothes and inquired if he lived alone in the house. Elderly citizens have welcomed the move taken by the Barasat police. The police set up CCTV cameras in residential areas and may install alarm system too.