A police officer posted in Alipurduar district went beyond the call of duty to mentor and train 14 youths from economically weaker backgrounds who aspired to join the state police force.

His efforts bore fruit as nine among them have cracked the exam conducted for recruitment of police constables in Bengal. The youths have received their appointment letters and are waiting for the call for training.

It all started five months back when the youths, who are from Falakata of Alipurduar and neighbouring Mathabhanga-II block of Cooch Behar, approached Samit Talukdar, the inspector-in-charge of Falakata police station.

“Most of us are from farmers’ families. We felt that if the police officer can provide us with guidance and training, it would help us perform better in the recruitment exam. We approached him and said that none of us had the capacity to spend money and take coaching from private institutes for the competitive exam,” said Parikshit Barman, a youth from Mathabhanga.

Their insistence made Talukdar sit with them and promise he would help them prepare for the exam and train them for the physical test.

“When they came to me for the first time, I refused. This is because I am busy most of the time. They, however, were insistent and persuaded me to guide them. It is because of their sincerity that seven have succeeded in clearing the recruitment process. I have only guided them,” said the police officer on Saturday.

Parikshit, however, said Talukdar was only being modest. "Sir (Talukdar) guided us personally, arranged books for us and made time to train us for physical tests and interviews. We will remain indebted to him forever. It is because of him that we could clear the exam and are now waiting for the training to start. Most of us are the first from our families to secure a government job,” the youth added.

He said that all 14 o them would regularly turn up at the police station or at Talukdar’s residence where he would teach them how to solve questions of maths, English, science, general knowledge and mental aptitude.

All 14 of them cleared the written and physical tests.

However, during the interview, it was found that nine of them had been selected.

Talukdar’s decision to stand by these youths has earned appreciation from many.

“The police officer has done a remarkable job. It is because of him that nine youths from poor families have secured jobs as constables in the state police,” said Pradip Muhuri, chairman of Falakata municipality. "We hope he helps other youths too."