The Naxal Special Division (NSD), which consists of two teams in Coimbatore and the Nilgiris districts, has been successful in building cordial relationship with people in tribal villages and hamlets bordering Kerala.
Inspector General of Police (West Zone) K. Shankar said that the teams have met the primary target of building ties with the villagers.
The teams are operational from February 1 following the attacks on a forest office and a few other places at Palakkad district, Kerala, in December 2014. The dedicated teams were formed in addition to the combing operations by the special wings of the police and tightening vigil at the border by the local police.
During the last one month, the teams have visited each village at least a couple of times and interacted with the residents there, creating awareness on government schemes, enquiring about their needs, and also requesting them to share information with the police on movement of strangers in their area.
Stating that there is no Naxal movement in this part of the State, Mr. Shankar added that the police have also targeted recruitment of 75 Home Guards in bordering hamlets in Ooty and around 30 in similar areas in Coimbatore district, by the end of March.
Efforts were also underway to identify and induct more youth in bordering areas as Home Guards and for honorary positions as ‘friends of police’ or ‘community police’. It is learnt that involving youth in these activities would give them confidence that they too were part of the system (active policing).
The NSD personnel in Coimbatore are also trying to identify places such as blue metal manufacturing units that use explosives.
Stating that though such hazardous units were at a safe distance from the border, efforts are underway to identify those located at secluded places. The unit owners will be advised to keep the hazardous materials in a safe and secure place in the premises and also to have alarm systems.
