Visakhapatnam: Andhra Pradesh is infamous when it comes to crimes committed against senior citizens staying away from children. The big question over safety of the elderly has come to fore after an elderly woman, was tied and robbed by burglars in broad daylight on Thursday at MVP Colony. Andhra Pradesh, according to the latest National Crime Records Bureau report (NCRB), has recorded 1852, 2495 and 2243 crimes against senior citizens (above 60 years) in 2014, 2015 and 2016 respectively. The number of incidences in AP in 2016, is the fourth highest in the country after Maharashtra, Madhya Pradesh and Tamil Nadu.
In majority of the cases, elderly staying in independent houses are being soft targets for the miscreants. The city has witnessed around six cases where senior citizens were robbed in their homes. MVP Colony, Seethammadhara, JR Nagar, Lawson's Bay Colony, East Point Colony are among the posh localities where elderly people, who’s kids stay abroad, reside.
J.S. Rao, CEO of Gladiator Securities and Allied Services which provides security services to corporate firms and apartments said, “Burglars mainly target elders staying in independent houses. The miscreants also keep their distance between two houses and hire a recce to find out details.” “We suggest such house owners to first install CCTV. Another way to remain safe is by having a dog and if affordable a security guard. Staying in apartments is fairly safe,” he said.
The robbers, who were in their thirties, entered the house of M. Sarojini (74) at MVP Colony and robbed her of Rs 1 lakh cash and gold ornaments. The victim, in her complaint to the police, said that the burglars entered her home masquerading as someone looking for a house on rent seeing the ‘Tolet’ board outside her home. The miscreants tied her and robbed her. The victim’s children are living abroad.
“Days have changed and not everyone is a well wisher. Elderly staying in independent houses have to be cautious. They should not open the door to strangers,” said AP Resident Welfare Associations V-P Dr K.S.R. Murthy.
