Sonbhadra police warm up to locals to turn heat on Naxals

An officer in the anti-Naxal cell at Sonbhadra said policemen will also contact suspects known for extending support to the Naxals and tell them no action will be taken against them and that they will not be forced to work as police informers.

The special police officers (SPOs) selected from the local population during last two months have already been engaged in identifying people having links with Naxals.

The officer said they are coordinating with their Garhwa counterparts since the Naxal supporters in both the districts operate together.

Sonbhadra SP Preetinder Singh said,“We will also organise a big camp in the Naxal-affected bordering areas on January 15. A team of medical specialists from BHU would conduct a health check-up for locals. Villagers will also be given woolen clothes,blankets,grains and other commodities.”

“The awareness drive is a part of the anti-Naxal strategy planned by the Union Home Ministry,” Singh added. The Naxal-affected areas in Sonbhadra bordering Garhwa district of Jharkhand includes Dudhhi,Babhani and Nagwa while those in Garhwa are Durki,Kandi and Dandai.