Patna: Central range deputy inspector-general (DIG) Rajesh Kumar on Wednesday launched Madadgar Police campaign at Kotwali and Gardanibagh police stations in Patna.

Scores of women, children and other people belonging to the deprived sections of the society were provided assistance on the first day of the programme, which aimed at providing succour to the deprived ones and win their confidence.

Under the Madadgar Police drive essential but unused commodities of police personnel will be distributed among the needy.

The DIG said: "Under the concept essential commodities which are unused by personnel from the rank of constable to SP, has been collected and distributed to needy people. It has been observed that in our houses we are having several unused items such as electronic goods, books, eatables, clothes or other home appliances. These items are kept at one side of the house. If the police donate such items to the Madadgar police it will be distributed to the needy people."

On the first day, more than 200 people mostly from nearby slum areas attended the event.

At Kotwali police station people who attended the event were happy with the approach of the police.

Sunny, a 13-year-old boy, who attended the event at Kotwali police station, said: "It's a great help for people like us." Sunny received a pair of jeans and some books.

The Madadgar Police will not confine itself to distributing essential items among the needy, but will also help and create awareness about various schemes of the government among the people.

The DIG said: "There are many health schemes of the government under which they get free treatment for several diseases but because of lack of awareness, people are unable to yield the benefits of such schemes. We will help such people so that they get the benefits of government schemes."

The Madadgar police concept will remain limited to only police personnel but senior police officers have invited citizens to donate voluntarily.

Sources said the police will urge citizens to donate unused items to Madadgar Police. Sources said the new concept is a step towards the Patna police becoming people-friendly. The Madadgar Police aim at building a people-friendly image of the police so that common people are not scared of approaching the police in times of emergency.

Patna police in the first phase have launched the Madadgar police drive at Kotwali and Gardanibagh, but later it will be launched at other police stations too.