Bhubaneswar, Aug. 30: Motorcycles for cops and an app for beneficiaries are ready to bolster the security of senior citizens in the twin cities of Cuttack and Bhubaneswar.

The state government today provided 35 motorcycles to nodal officers of the senior citizen security cells in various police stations. The police will shortly launch a mobile app for senior citizens as well.

Police commissioner Y.B. Khurania said: "The motorcycles have been provided to nodal officers to visit the houses of senior citizens frequently and supervise their safety measures. We also provided them smart phones that will have details of enrolled senior citizens and their photographs. An app has also been developed by the police through which senior citizens will be register themselves online." The police said the app would enable senior citizens to register themselves online. As of now, the senior citizens have to visit police stations concerned to register themselves.

The senior citizen security cells, which had been formed in a few police stations in 2009, were later extended to all police stations in the twin cities. A nodal officer in the rank of either sub-inspector or assistant sub-inspector heads the cell. Besides, a constable-rank police officer has been assigned to work as the assistant nodal officer in each cell.

"During visit to the senior citizens, we ascertain the physical security measures of the houses and advise them to install door chains, door alarm, electronic eye ball and grill fencing. Besides, we also verify the antecedents of the domestic helps working for them," said a police official.

According to police statistics, as many as 10,389 senior citizens had been registered in the twin cities with 6,176 registered in Bhubaneswar. This year, the police have registered 1,434 senior citizens in Bhubaneswar and 967 in Cuttack.

The police said they would also shortly open one counselling centre each in Bhubanesswar and Cuttack for the senior citizens. Its objective is to provide assistance to the senior citizens in matters not related to crime.

The murder of a septuagenarian couple at Sailashree Vihar on November 2015 had brought the issue of senior citizens' security to the fore. The bodies of Prafulla Mishra, 72, and Sushama Mishra, 70, were found from their residence. Two housemaids had plotted the crime with a motive of robbery.

Federation of Senior Citizens' Association of Odisha president Krupasindhu Sahoo said the new app would help senior citizens. "They are often reluctant to register themselves as they have to physically visit police stations. We are hopeful that more senior citizens will enrol online," said Sahoo.