Cops help reunite abandoned elderly man with son

TIRUPUR: An elderly man who landed on the streets of Tirupur after being abandoned by his children, got to see the good side of police when they convinced his son to take him under his care. The 70-year-old man, Maran, was allegedly left to fend for himself by his two sons and a daughter over a month ago. On Friday last, the Tirupur Superintendent of Police V Balakrishnan spotted Maran pleading for alms outside the Kaithamalai temple at Uttukuli near here.“When I inquired with him about his family, he said that he hailed from Thoothukudi and had taken to begging as he did not have anyone to take care of him. Later, on the Superintendent of  Police’s directions, Baluchandran, a constable attached to the Special Branch of Uttukuli police station, made extensive inquiries with locals about the man. “I found out that one of his sons Palanisamy was living in Karaipudur village near Uttukuli. I informed the Superintendent of Police and later spoke to Palanisamy and convinced him that it was his moral responsibility to take care of his father,” Baluchandran said.The police also told Palanisamy that it was an offence to abandon one’s parents as per a legislation enacted in Tamil Nadu. The police also met local panchayat officials who helped Maran avail old age pension from the State government. In recognition of Baluchandran’s efforts, the SP honoured him with a cash reward. “People can inform police about abandoned elders and we will take steps to help them,” Balakrishnan added.