Muzaffarpur zonal inspector-general of police Gupteshwar Pandey is taking a leaf out of Buddhist teachings in an effort to bridge what he perceives to be a widening rift between cops and citizens.

“In the recent past, we have witnessed a number of clashes between the police and the people in different parts of the state,” Pandey told The Telegraph over phone on Tuesday. “This has forced me to come up with a plan to present a friendly face of the police to the people.”

He added: “I believe in giving respect to a man as a man deserves it, as Lord Buddha preached. So, I have instructed senior police officers in my zone to begin a new initiative — Police Friend.”

Citizens from all sections of society would be made a part of this initiative.

“Men, women, youth and elderly — all would be made members of this drive. In rural areas, 50 citizens from each panchayat and 75 people from ward in cities and towns would be included,” said Pandey.

He added: “I have instructed superintendents of police under my jurisdiction to ensure that this initiative is a success.”

There are three zones — Saran, Muzaffarpur and Motihari — under Pandey’s jurisdiction. The three zones include Muzaffarpur, Vaishali, Sitamarhi, Saran, Siwan, Gopalganj, East Champaran and West Champaran districts. Bagaha police district is also under Pandey.

“All the police stations in these districts have been instructed to choose, run background checks and submit the names of people who would be recruited as friends of the police. Middlemen would be kept out of this work. Station house officers would be taken to task if found hobnobbing with middlemen,” he said.

The police friends would be provided with identity cards and they would remove the communication gap between people and cops.

Asked how the friends of the police would help in checking crime and improving relations between cops and citizens, Pandey said: “These citizens would inform the police about anything illegal that they spot. It could be an illegal liquor factory or a criminal. The police would be able to act on the information.”

This would enhance the quality of policing and check misunderstanding between the men in uniform and the people.