Police rescue abandoned elderly

CHENNAI: Police night patrols are generally intended to monitor the movement of history-sheeters, rowdy elements and to prevent any crime in the city. However  an inspector of police has proved that it could also be used for more humanitarian purposes. On the night of June 16, when Tiruvottiyur police station inspector MS Bhaskar and his team members were patrolling near the toll Gate in Tiruvottiyur, the team heard someone moaning on the pavement.When inspector Bhaskar got down and checked the pavement, he found a 60-year-old man who had sustained injuries on his leg and was reeling in pain. He told the inspector that he lived on the platform and a two-wheeler had hit him. “He requested us take him to the hospital and that he was unable to withstand the pain. As it was very late in the night, we took him to a nearby Sankara Madam and gave him first aid,” said Bhaskar. When the police made further inquiries in a bid to locate the house of the elderly man, he identified himself as Shanmugam (61), an abandoned person.When City Express spoke to Shanmugam, he said that he had been working as watchman and resided in a small space, which he took on rent for `150 per month. But for the past few months, he has been staying on the platform because he could not pay home rent.“As I become very weak, the company asked me not to come for work,” said Shanmugam adding that he had been living on the platform ever since. Since the road accident last month, he was unable to move from the place. Passers-by ridiculed him, stating that he was causing a nuisance. Inspector Bhaskar took Shanmugam to Little Drops, Chennai.In another incident, when Bhaskar and his team raided TASMAC shops for selling liquor late in the night, they picked up an old woman, Manimegalai (60), who was found selling liquor on block. When police inquired with her, Manimegalai admitted to the crime and said that she had nobody to take care of her.  She requested him to admit her in a home. “My husband tortured me throughout my life. I sustained these burn injuries because I attempted to commit suicide unable to withstand his torture,” she said showing her scars. Even after his death, life did not turn easy for her. She met with a road accident and her right hand has been rendered almost defunct. “I have two sons, but I don’t want to be burden anybody. I am not selling the liquor on block for a livelihood, but unless I consume a small peg daily, I can’t bear the pain in my hand,” she said adding that she can’t even change her dress without help.“Don’t you think I would be a burden to my sons, who had to face harassment from their wives for helping me? That is why I was staying alone. Neighbours helped me with the food,” she said.“Inspector Bhaskar has assured me rehabilitation in an old age home. I told him that I will consult with my sons and take a final decision,” she added.