WB police organise soccer match to lure local youth away from Maoism

Lalgarh (W. Bengal), July 20 (ANI): West Bengal Police came forth with the formula of 'Two Birds with One Stone' and organised a football tournament as a part of their public relations exercise and welfare programme for youth in Maoist infested areas.

The aim to organise the match was to convince youngsters to consider the police force as a career.

Almost all participants were excited after playing the match and said such events should be held more frequently.

"Students are coming to play in our school and if this kind of programme should happen every year, it will be very good and our school will also gain popularity," said Mohan Das, a youth.

A police official expressed satisfaction over the success of the event.

"The attendance and participation was good. Young boys took part in the tournament. We also informed people about the procedure of recruitment in the police as most people don't know about the method," said Manoj Varma, Superintendent of Police, Paschimi Medinipur.

Maoist attacks have increased this year, especially after the government launched a coordinated security offensive, involving tens of thousands of police and paramilitaries trying to flush out rebels from their jungle hideouts in central and eastern India. (ANI)