Fear stalks Jayanagar seniors

Fear stalks Jayanagar seniors

The murder of an elderly couple has given its residents the jitters

Soumya Menon. Bangalore

Life's changed
Senior citizens in Jayanagar are yet to get over the murder of an elderly couple in the area, committed on January 9. It is with shock that they recall the fateful Saturday when 79-year-old A S Venkata Rangan (79) and his wife, Vasanta Venkata Rangan, were found with their throat slits in their house on 11th Main Road, Jayanagar III block.
While some senior citizens said they have no option but to live in the fear of being attacked anytime, others declared that they were scared enough to consider moving. But they all asked one question: "What are the cops doing?"

The area
Over 10 elderly couples stay by themselves on the 11th main road, a busy street in Jayanagar 4th block complex. Most of their children either reside abroad or stay in houses far away from the area.
The area is also a prime real estate location. While the property prices in other areas of Jayanagar range from Rs 10,000 to 20,000 per square feet, the value of sites on 11th main road goes up to as much as Rs 25,000 per square feet. And considering that the locality has many middle-class families, most of whom are senior citizens, there is a fear that anti-social elements may start targeting this area for making a quick buck.

Shocked and scared
Ratna (67), wife of 79-year-old Govindaiah, a retired HAL employee, doesn't know if she should continue staying in Jayanagar. "Until the murder occurred, we never felt unsafe here. But now I am really worried about our safety. My husband has a hearing problem, and our children don't stay with us. But we don't feel like leaving as we have been staying here for 55 years."
However, Ramachandran (78), a retired government servant who has been staying in Jayanagar 3rd block for the last 50 years, thinks differently. "I am not going to move from the area because crimes like these could happen anywhere," he said.

A nice man
Venkatachalaiah (79), a close friend of A S Venkata Rangan, said that someone known to the couple may have committed the crime. "He was a nice man. Everyday at 12.30 pm, we used to call each other and discuss health issues. As Rangan's wife couldn't cook regularly, a lady used to visit them in the afternoon to deliver lunch," he said.
90-year-old Rajanna, a retired government employee, said the incident has shocked him, but not enough to prevent him from going out for walks. "Such incidents don't occur regularly. Nevertheless, people have to be cautious. They shouldn't take things for granted," he said.

Background checks
Keshav Kumar, secretary of the Jayanagar Welfare Association and special police officer of the Community Policing Committee, said that poor police patrolling and non co-operation from residents have led to a spurt in crime in the locality. The committee wants the police to conduct background checks on housemaids and paying guests in the area.
However, a constable with the Jayanagar police station said that though beat policemen have been stationed in all the areas of Jayanagar, they can't be everywhere all the time. "We are helpless. Incidents like these will happen occasionally," he said.