The Northern Range Police have launched a special project to help people recently resettled in areas west of the A9 road. The police conducted a large scale relief operation last Saturday (Nov 14) following a two-day survey conducted in the area.

DIG Nimal Lewke told The Island that the people had welcomed their initiative. "We hope to continue with similar projects as part of the overall effort to win the hearts and minds of the people," he said. Responding to our queries, he said that they were in the process of setting up village development committees headed by police officers to identify people’s problems.

He emphasised that winning hearts and minds would be an essential part in their counter-insurgency strategy. He expressed confidence that the private sector could be involved to provide relief to the needy.