Sir,

This has reference to the news item titled “Fake accident trap: Senior citizen targeted again and again” in yesterday’s Star of Mysore where an 80-year-old gentleman recently fell victim to robbery twice in the span of a month in a rather unconventional manner.

On both occasions, he was followed by someone on a scooter, accused of causing an accident and then forcibly coerced into handing over money while being intimidated.

No matter how much we prepare ourselves to respond calmly to such situations, the reality is that panic inevitably sets in when confronted by these aggressive and intimidating individuals. It appears that these criminals lurk on the streets, targeting senior citizens who drive carefully and slowly, making them easy prey for robbery.

 While I understand that it is challenging for the Police to apprehend every criminal and address every crime, it is disheartening to witness our city becoming increasingly hostile towards senior citizens.

I implore the Police and the authorities concerned to devise effective measures to apprehend these criminals. Increasing the number of CCTVs on main roads could be one solution, along with more frequent patrolling. The Police manual may offer innovative solutions that I may not have considered.

Please refrain from suggesting that senior citizens should simply be more cautious. They already exercise caution, but the city administrators should strive to provide an environment where they can feel safe and free from the burden of excessive vigilance.

– R. Sudarshana, Kalidasa Road, 20.4.2024

You can also mail us your views, opinions, and stories to [email protected]