CoBRA (209) battalion has won the hearts of masses at Bareebandh where under the aegis of the Community Policing this elite force gave away the most priced thing in this season when there is a rage of malaria among fifty poor families. Each of the 50 families got one mosquito net.
Commandant of CoBRA 209 Kamlesh Singh said on Monday that the recipients of the mosquito nets almost lapped it up. Apart from nets the battalion gave away hundred sarees, fifty dhotis and fifty school bags with pencil cutter and note book.
Sources said the distribution of freebies by CoBRA 209 battalion was not enormous but the location where it distributed among the people of lesser goods was most vital and strategic. The site was Bareebandh which lies in the contiguity of Jaigeerpahar and was a sordid witness to a severe gun battle between the heavy contingent of CPI Maoists led by Sudhakaran, Chhotu, Kharwar and Nukul etc.
Sources said villagers fight shy of receiving freebies from the para military forces if there is the encounter with the Maoists in the area as the poor fear dressing down by the Maoists for their acceptance of the freebies.
However sources said at Bareebandh community policing done by this 209 elite force battalion the gathering was of around 150 men women and children. Kamlesh Singh said ‘ Out of this 150 women accounted for 70 to 75 while the children too were around 50 in numbers.
Male members were less in numbers and their thin presence in such freebies distribution camp is well understood said sources as the Maoists not only taunt them but pressure them also to return the same.
On being asked if the male members in the gathering at Bareebandh where CoBRA 209 battalion distributed freebies had any hesitation or reluctance to receive the freebies Kamlesh Singh said ‘ They came to us and that is itself a very positive thing on their part’. As regards any hesitation or reluctance on their part the recipients had this thought on their back of mind that Maoists might question them about this. Freebies that they had so willingly accepted.
Sources said Bareebandh is a place which is hardly frequented by the security forces but here CoBRA 209 battalion left a mark of itself.