Ama Police campaign at Plantsite in Cuttack. Telegraph picture

Rourkela, Jan. 30: Two police stations here, which have adopted Ama Police concept to build goodwill among residents, have been yielding good results.

Co-operation from residents in various situations is said to be the result of the good work done by the policemen through implementation of Ama Police.

In the city, Sector-19 and Plantsite police station have so far adopted the Ama Police concept. Ama Police is a term used to eliminate fear of people towards the police and build an atmosphere of trust and co-operation by conducting several exercises with the local residents.

Awareness against alcohol and drug addiction, educating people for maintaining communal harmony are some of the efforts done by the police here.

J. Acharya, inspector in charge of Plantsite police station, said that they had divided their area into 18 beats and two constables for each.

Along with local residents and some social activists they try to develop trust among the people by visiting door to door.

“Besides we conduct awareness camps in different areas and educate people about the ills of drug and alcohol addiction. We give emphasis on security of women, elderly people and children,” said Acharya.

Ama Police initiative began at Plantsite police station around five months ago and it has started helping the police, as residents are responding positively in many cases. The Sector-19 police station has been brought recently under the Ama Police.

“Whenever residents need help, they ask the police station and we provide help without any hesitation. This helps build the confidence among public which was not there earlier,” said J.K. Mallick, inspector in charge of Sector-19 police station.

Some non-government organisations are also part of the awareness campaign.

“Along with the police we are visiting various pockets and convincing people to quit alcohol. We are explaining the youngsters about the ills of drugs. Women readily cooperate with us in such awareness drives. We expect the district police authorities to continue such things that has been helping both police and the public,” said Narahari Kharanga, president of Nilachakra, a social organisation working with the police.

Even the residents are happy with such police-public activities. They said that they were no more seeing police indifferently.

“Now policemen are helping us in many things and whenever they want any cooperation we readily oblige them,” said Srimant Rout, a resident of Naya Bazar area.