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In 2017, Bastar’s Superintendent of Police (SP) Aarif Sheikh was awarded the prestigious International Association of Chief of Police (IACP) Award 2017 in Pennsylvania in the ‘Homeland Security’ category for his campaign ‘Amcho Bastar, Amcho Police’. With this, he became the only IPS officer of the country to win this award in community policing twice in a row!

Sheikh’s ‘Amcho Bastar, Amcho Police’ initiative is aimed at bridging the gap between the police and tribal communities by assimilating their unique traditions and culture. At the same time, the police also focus on neutralising left-wing extremism by bringing back surrendered Maoists into the mainstream by giving them alternative earning opportunities.

Through Sheikh’s campaign, the Bastar police have also come to the aid of few children, who were trapped in the clutches of the Bal Sangham of Maoists, who were used to plant IEDs against the security personnel. These children were then sent for counselling followed by rehabilitation for skill development and studies.