Only 13 calls since Jan, elderly prefer ‘100’

JAPJEET DUGGAL : Chandigarh, Mon Jul 11 2011, 02:45 hrs

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When it comes to voicing their grievances, senior citizens in the city seem to prefer dialling 100 over 1090, the special helpline number started by the Chandigarh Police for senior citizens.

Since January this year, the helpline number has received only 13 calls.

The Chandigarh Police maintain that senior citizens prefer dialling 100.

The senior citizens opine that the helpline number is not very popular.

To top it all, the 1090 helpline number meant for senior citizens is now being used by another service as well.

Police sources said that of the total calls received, none of the callers (senior citizens) alleged abuse. Roshan Lal, Deputy Superintendent of Police heading the control room said that mostly senior citizens prefer calling the 100 helpline.

"For regular checks, the beat constables have been given the responsibility to visit each and every house where a senior citizen registered with the Chandigarh Police resides" Roshan Lal said.

However, a senior citizen, who has been a victim of abuse by his children said on condition of anonymity that the policemen only complete formalities by getting their signatures rather than listening to their grievances.

On the other hand, the police department and a senior citizen's association said that senior citizens sometimes do not reveal their problems.

The association claimed that senior citizens worry about hostility from their children if they (senior citizens) register a complaint with the Chandigarh Police.

Another senior citizen, on condition of anonymity said that neither the association nor the police had been helpful. He claimed that the associations are there only to help elderly women.

Also, the helpline is not very popular. DSP Roshan Lal said that the helpline is being made popular through the media and by holding seminars.

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