In a region where Maoists are working to strengthen their presence, an IPS officer took a proactive approach to establish trust with the Kolam tribal community in Kumuram Bheem Asifabad district, Telangana. Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) S. Chittarajan hiked 20 kilometers through dense forest terrain, crossing multiple hills in Tiryani mandal, to reach remote villages such as Govena, Kursiguda, Lingaguda, and Nayakapuguda.
The Kolams, classified as a Particularly Vulnerable Tribal Group (PVTG), live in isolated settlements with limited access to government services. Maoists are known to operate in the region, using it as a shelter and attempting to influence the local population. To counter this, Chittarajan and his team focused on strengthening the police-tribal relationship, encouraging the villagers to seek police assistance when needed.
As part of efforts to engage with the youth and prevent them from being drawn toward extremist ideologies, volleyball kits were distributed, and local police were directed to introduce them to the game. This initiative aimed to build camaraderie among the young members of the community while promoting positive engagement with law enforcement.
During interactions with the villagers, it was discovered that despite possessing Aadhaar cards, many were not receiving pension benefits. The police assured them that their concerns would be conveyed to district authorities for resolution.
Chittarajan’s outreach was conducted under the “Palle Palleku Police” initiative, which seeks to establish a police presence in every village. Given the security risks in the Maoist-affected region, the team adhered to standard operating procedures while making their way through the forests from early morning until the afternoon, covering all Kolam settlements in the area.
