TIRUPPUR: A police head constable appointed to maintain public welfare under the Dedicated Beat System (DBS) in Tiruppur city has built a shelter at his own expense for a destitute disabled woman living on the roadside for more than three years and has only an umbrella for protection.
R Prakash, head constable attached to Central Police Station, has been assigned patrol duty at Kodikambam in KVR Nagar.
Prakash told TNIE, “Our police commissioner introduced the beat system with the aim of making people feel that the police is their friend. We meet people through patrolling. We visit residential areas and find solutions to their problems. In particular, we try to solve family problems at an early stage.”
He added “Last week, I was patrolling in KRR Thottam area in KVR Nagar. At the time it was raining slightly. I saw a disabled woman under a Neem tree and questioned her. Her name is G Amutha, (48). She was helpless, unable to walk and homeless. I came to know that she had been living under that tree for three years and had only an umbrella as shelter. I also realised that she was having trouble getting food.”
Despite her physical disability, the woman does small jobs. “She is doing the job of turning knitwear waste fabric into yarn, a type of industry in Tiruppur. She gets a small salary for that. Someone with a compassionate heart gives the job to her,” Prakash said.
Further, he said, “I decided to help her as it the job of beat cops is also to help people. I built a shelter using metal sheets for her at a cost of Rs 15,000 on the roadside under the tree. The enclosure has no EB connection amd I plan to install solar panels. I am also making arrangements with my colleagues to arrange her food at subsidized rate. We are also taking efforts to get her government’s monthly honorarium for the disabled.”
Speaking to TNIE, G Amutha, the woman, said, “After the death of my father and brother I had no one to help me. We lived in a rented house. I couldn’t pay rent after them. So I took shelter under this tree. I will not sleep if it rains at night.
I sit holding an umbrella until the rain stops amd sleep when rain stops. I use the nearest public toilet. Many times I lamented my hardship. Now I am happy that police have built a small house for me. The district administration should provide me monthly honorarium.”
A senior police officer in Tiruppur City Police said, “The action by head constable Prakash is commendable. We appreciated him in person.”