Muzaffarpur, Aug. 5: Inspector-general Paras Nath has advised his subordinates to build friendly relationship with residents of Maoist-affected villages to get information of rebels hiding there.

After assuming office last month, Paras Nath has directed the deputy inspectors-general, senior superintendents of police, additional superintendents of police and deputy superintendents of police of Tirhut, Saran and Champaran ranges to keep strict surveillance on the movement of suspicious in the villages.

Paras Nath said: “The police officers should visualise situations properly to control the threat of Maoists in the affected villages.”

He has also advised the officers to collect the cellphone numbers of at least 10 people from each of the Maoist-affected village and keep in touch with them regularly to get information about the functioning of rebels. Moreover, the police officers have been directed to make three or five such calls daily.

Paras Nath said: “The police officers should try and win the confidence of villagers. They men-in-uniform should collect the cellphone numbers of some villagers and call them regularly to get information about the rebels. The villagers should also be coaxed to provide a helping hand in preventing the threat of rebels.”

The inspector-general has directed station house officers (SHOs) to pen down minute details of rebel activities in the police stations concerned. “They have been assigned the responsibility to figure out names of the Maoist-affected villages and people providing shelter to the rebels,” he said.

Inputs of state intelligence bureau should also be checked properly. “The police officers overlooking the intelligence inputs regarding threat perception will be punished,” he said.

Paras Nath has stressed the fortification of police stations in the rebel-hit pockets and increasing the strength of cops. He has sought inputs from the senior superintendents of police in this connection. They are given necessary funds to strengthen their police stations on the basis of threat perception, he added.