Lalita Subramanian has been living alone for the last 20 years, and is looked after by the cops.Around 4 pm on Saturday, 15 cops from Matunga Police Station, including a senior inspector, gathered at the house of an 82-year-old woman in the neighbourhood. Carrying cakes, candles and gifts, the cops sang ‘happy birthday’ to Lalita Subramanian, who is living alone in her apartment in Wadala village for the last 20 years.Subramanian’s children are based in the US and Bangalore, and visit her once a year. But they know that their mother is safe with her extended family -- the cops from Matunga Police Station -- who visit her at least thrice a day, and also run errands for her.“Everyone at the police station address her as mummy,” senior inspector Balasaheb Kakkad said. “She is like a family member for the police station staff. At times, she is unable to speak because of asthma, and all she has to do is call up on our mobile phones or just ring the pooja bell in her house, and one of us will reach her immediately,” he added. Such is the bond between the woman and the cops that the latter are aware of the medicines she needs, and ensure she takes them on time.Subramanian said the bond has been formed over the last 20 years. “Every day for the last so many years, someone from Matunga Police Station comes home to check on my health. They’ll bring my medicines on their own, or run errands for me. They are like my own children,” she said, fighting back tears.She said that the cops haven’t “allowed her to feel lonely”. “When I miss my kids, I call up the police station. Within minutes, some of the station staffers will be home, having coffee with me. I’m never alone, thanks to the Matunga police.”