Jamshedpur, Jan. 23: After a surprisingly long wait, given that the area is a rebel hub, Galudih finally got its police station today.

Ghatshila circle inspector of police Madan Mohan Singh inaugurated the police station at a simple function. Sub-inspector R.C. Pal has been posted as its officer in charge.

Galudih shot to notoriety in March 2007, when JMM leader and Jamshedpur MP Sunil Mahto was gunned down by Maoists.

Currently housed in the abandoned office complex of Subernarekha Multi-purpose Project (SMP), the new police station will get its own building within six months.

East Singhbhum senior superintendent of police Akhilesh Kumar Jha said though the police station had been notified in 2009, it could not be set up due to space constraints. “We have a plot and funds for the building. For now, we will run the police station from the vacant SMP premises,” Jha said, adding the tender process for its construction would start in the next one month.

Apart from the high-profile Sunil Mahto murder, rebels also killed five villagers between 2003 and 2010. Much earlier, Galudih boasted a thana outpost, but in 1996, it was removed. Lack of patrolling caused Maoist activity to intensify.

After the MP’s murder, the district administration started its deliberations to set up a police station in Galudih, which came into being after nearly four years.

For beleaguered villagers, the police station has come as a relief. Resident Dasmath Soren said he hoped that now, the area would be “safer”.