With Perumbakkam residents grappling with crime and anti-social elements every day, the Tamil Nadu Slum Clearance Board (TNSCB), along with the police and NGOs, is planning to form vigil committees at the tenements soon.
Thousands of families live in over 180 blocks at the TNSCB Perumbakkam tenements. However, there are a few anti-social elements who are making life unpleasant for the residents.
“People sell ganja in the open. Many consume alcohol sitting on the stairs and the dark corridors. Women and children feel very unsafe,” complained a resident of the tenement.
Senior TNSCB officials felt the need to start vigil committees, comprising women and youngsters, which can work with the TNSCB and police to curb the menace. There are plans to have such committees at each block in Perumbakkam.
“We are planning to provide phone numbers to committee members. The residents can inform them of the problems they face and the committee members, in turn, will inform the police or us,” said a senior TNSCB official.
Happy about initiative
Women and youngsters from Perumbakkam are happy about the initiative. “If residents take responsibility, it can bring about a change and reduce crime. But our safety should be ensured as we may come under attack,” said a woman resident. She said that the committee should not be headed by anyone with political clout.
“It should comprise educated youngsters,” she emphasised.
Vanessa Peter, policy researcher, Information and Resource Centre for the Deprived Urban Communities (IRCDUC), said that it was important to initiate activities involving various stakeholders, such as women, youth and children, in Perumbakkam, along with representatives from civil society and police to ensure a safe environment for women and children.
Meanwhile, residents said that the lighting around the blocks had improved, compared to a few months ago.
“Over 150 blocks have got three focus lights around each building and over 30 blocks have got four,” said a resident.