Hoysala Team rescue elderly woman, reunite her with family

A 78-year-old woman, identified as Basamma, who had lost her way home and had been wandering the streets of Begur for many hours, was rescued by the Hoysala patrolling team, led by Assistant Sub Inspector Satish Kumar, recently.

Basamma, a native of Vijayapura, had come with her 82-year-old husband to visit her son, Chandrashekhar Hiremath, a software engineer working in an IT firm in the city. Basamma was not familiar with the city and went near a park after breakfast for a walk, and lost her way to Lakshmi Layout in the Begur Industrial area. In her search for the house, she reached a tailor shop. The shopowner offered her food and water before alerting the police.

By then, it was around 9 p.m., and Basamma did not remember the address or phone number. The police drove around the area for over an hour, checking with the people if they knew anything about the missing woman. As the patrolling driver, Shabbir M., was from Vijayapura and spoke the same dialect, Basamma gained some confidence, shedding her fear and apprehension, they recalled.

After contacting many residents, Satish Kumar managed to reach the apartment in New Mico Layout, Hongasandra where the entire apartment residents and her family were searching for her.

It was a joyous reunion as Mr. Hiremath thanked the police, stating that the family was worried the whole afternoon and searched everywhere for her, sharing details on WhatsApp groups and checking CCTV camera footage. The family out of desperation even checked wells, lakes and rajakaluves anticipating some eventuality.

Mr. Hiremath promised the police that he would get a GPS-enabled bangle for his mother to ensure her safety .

“We are happy that Basamma was reunited with her family, and we have done our duty,” Mr. Satish Kumar said, reminding people to call the control room and report any incidents without fail.

City Police Commissioner Seemant Kumar Singh appreciated the team.