Attacks do not reveal a pattern

<div class="section1"><div class="Normal">PUNE: The growing frequency of attacks on senior citizens in the city has cast a grim shadow on Pune''s reputation as a ''pensioner''s paradise.<br /><br />While five senior citizens were attacked and robbed in separate incidents over the last few days, early this year, a 61-year-old man was hacked to death at his residence and his daughter was beaten up by robbers in the jurisdiction of the Vishrambaug police station.<br /><br />These alarming incidents have put a question mark on the measures taken by the city police for the safety and security of senior citizens.In July 2003, police commissioner A.N. Roy had initiated the formation of a central committee for the purpose in collaboration with voluntary agency Community Aid Sponsorship Programme (Casp).<br /><br />The police and Casp undertook listing of addresses and phone numbers of senior citizens, and carried out checks on the antecedents of domestic servants of senior citizens living by themselves. Casp, in association with the city police, has already set up committees of senior citizens at each police chowky.<br /><br />Speaking to TNN, police commissioner A.N. Roy claimed the series of attacks on senior citizens did not constitute a pattern. It may be coincidental and may not have been intentionally directed at senior citizens.<br /><br />The city is absolutely safe for one and all, senior citizens included,�h he said. Roy further claimed the plan for ensuring the safety of senior citizens was doing well. <br /><br />Meetings with senior citizens were progressing satisfactorily at the chowky level, he said, adding, vigil had nevertheless been stepped up. <br /><br />According to Roy, his force has initiated specific steps to increase safety and security for senior citizens. <br /><br />These include: undertaking a special drive to check the record of criminals in various localities, undertaking mobile patrolling with wireless communication, sensitising the public through the mohalla committees and increasing co-ordination with adjoining police units for greater efficiency.<br /><br /><span style="" font-weight:="" bold="">Another old woman attacked</span>: The series of attacks on senior citizens continued on Wednesday evening, when a 92-year-old woman Gondubai Dani was relieved of two gold bangles near her residence at Rambaug Colony, Navi Peth, police sources said. Dani was returning from her evening walk when two men came on a motorcycle and asked her for directions. <br /><br />As she began climbing the stairs of her residence, they returned to threaten and rob her. A complaint was registered in this connection at the Vishrambaug police station, when reports last came in.</div> </div>