In its letter GOACAN writes among other things: "GOACAN as part of its ongoing Senior Citizens Rights Awareness Campaign has written to the District Superintendents of Police in South & North Goa to implement the Action Plan for the protection of life and property of Senior Citizens as per the Maintenance and Welfare of Parents & Senior Citizens Act 2007 and the Goa Rules 2009.
The action plan involves that each Police Station shall maintain an up-to-date list of Senior Citizens living within its jurisdiction especially those who are living by themselves, the formation of Volunteer Committees for each Police Station which shall ensure regular contact with the Senior Citizens, Community Policing for the security of Senior Citizens be undertaken in conjunction with citizens living in the neighbourhood, NGO's, Youth volunteers etc." I think the intention behind this initiative is laudable. The number of senior citizens who live in isolation is increasing, and criminal elements who see them as soft targets are getting more brazen. However one thing troubles me: I get the distinct impression that the police forces are getting very close to the very crooks that we are trying to shield the senior citizens from. At the higher levels it is the politicians who are either themselves linked with to the crime bosses and land mafia, who dictate to the senior bureaucrats whom to protect or not; at the lower levels, the constabulary are in the pay of the same people who are likely to take advantage of the senior citizens. If you don't believe me check how many of our politicians depend on the matka kings, the drugs mafia, the builder nexus and the mining barons. This being the case, who will police the policemen and the politicians? Augusto -- Augusto Pinto 40, Novo Portugal Moira, Bardez Goa, India E pinto...@gmail.com P 0832-2470336 M 9881126350