Ranchi: To counter rebels and their ideology, Ranchi police have started community policing in selected villages falling under 21 thana areas affected by Maoist violence.

A circular in this connection was issued on Friday and its implementation began on Saturday.

The thanas that have been brought under community policing are Bundu, Tamar, Sonahatu, Rahe, Dussam Fall, Silli, Angara, Muri, Ormanjhi, Sikidri, Pithoria, Burmu, Khelari, Mccluskieganj, Mandar, Chanho, Bero, Itki, Lapung, Nakopi, Namkum and Lapung.

"We have provided a guideline for the programme. In the first phase, DSPs, additional SP (operation) and OCs of the thana concerned will select villages where at least two persons are associated with Naxal activities. We will meet people and learn about their development requirements and then submit a report to the district administration for necessary action," Ranchi SSP Kuldeep Dwivedi said.

In the next phase, those villages will be selected where people lost their lives because of Naxal violence. Here, too, the same process would be undertaken.

In the third phase, community policing will be held in villages from where Maoists recruit their foot soldiers.

"Officials will also stay at night at selected villages to establish direct communication with villagers. Development will not be the lone issue, our officials will also discuss about their daily life, sports and agriculture. The project is the part of Highly Naxal Affected Village Development plan of the state government," the SSP said.

On Saturday, Bundu DSP Venkatesh Raman and OC S. Tamang, visited Naxal-affected Barihatu village, and took stock of the facilities there.