PIONEER EDGE NEWS SERVICE/Dehradun
Elderly residents have expressed concern over walking alone on roads following a chain-snatching incident reported in the city recently. In the said incident, an elderly woman was robbed of her gold chain during an evening walk in Vasant Vihar by a man on an unnumbered two-wheeler. The video of the incident went viral on social media.
Following the incident, many elderly people said they are avoiding walking alone and urged authorities to increase safety on roads, especially for senior citizens.
A senior citizen Jaggu Arora said that the incident and its video on social media has created fear. He said he used to walk both in the morning and evening but has stopped walking alone after the incident. Such incidents not only lead to robbery but can also cost lives. Miscreants target elderly people more due to less activeness, he said.
“My children and I have decided that I will not go for a walk alone. The incident has affected the physical activities of senior citizens like us. It could have been prevented if authorities were vigilant and had taken steps like regular patrolling in areas where senior citizens walk,” said another elderly resident Savita Kothari.
She said that the authorities should take preventive measures for senior citizens; otherwise, fear will force them to stay home. Another elderly resident, Manmohan Puri said that he has stopped walking outside and has shifted to physical activity at home. Earlier, people feared stray dogs while walking; now some humans have started behaving like them. The incident is an example of this, he said. He said that the authorities should not only take steps for elderly safety but also act against individuals using unnumbered vehicles and other violations.
Many other elderly people in the city have also expressed concern and shared their fear of walking alone on roads.
