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Panaji, India, Apr, 2022 -- Goa police has extended its senior citizens helpline and SOPs to persons with disabilities (PwDs).

As per the SOPs, the local police through beat staff must identify and register persons with disability living alone or with their spouse, and who remain alone for a long period during the day.
The police must also maintain an up to date list of registered persons with disability living within its jurisdiction by filing a person with disability registration form.

The police must ensure that these vulnerable PwDs are visited at least once a week by beat/division staff, and once a month by the police inspector without fail.

"These visits should be meaningfully utilised to sensitise them regarding safety and security precautions, and also to develop an empathetic bond with them," states the SOPs.

The SOPs state that a printed handout in Konkani Devnagari/Romi and Marathi, English, Hindi and Braille be handed over to PwDs with audio messages for those visually impaired.

"The telephone numbers of the district SPs, SDPOs and PIs and the respective beat constable along with persons with disability helpline should be displayed at some prominent place at the residence of persons with disability. All complaints pertaining to persons with disability and the distress calls received through persons with disability helpline should be attended promptly by the local police," the SOPs further state.

Once every two months, a meeting with PwDs should be organised by the police inspector, and the police are to also promptly verify antecedents and character of domestic help and other help working for PwDs. This can also be verified through digitalpolice.gov.in.

The SOPs stated that a list containing email/telephone numbers of persons be readily available at the office of the district superintendent of police for random contact with them to enquire about their welfare.

"The beat staff may take a photo with the person with disability who lives alone to boost their confidence and the same to be submitted to his higher authority for accountability," it states.

The SOPs also require the traffic police to ensure earmarked parking place to persons with disability are maintained for them and provide assistance.

"The main objective of the SOPs and persons with disability helpline is to provide immediate relief and to ensure safety and security of persons with disability, to encourage them to live in a secure and healthy life without any fear," stated the then DGP Indradev Shukla.

President of Disability Association of Goa Avelino De Sa said this was done on DRAG’s request, and urged all persons with disability to register on the police helpline.

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Posted by Veronica Silva Cusi, news correspondent
Source: https://timesofindia.indiatimes.com