A group of policemen posted at the Baishnabnagar police station in Malda district observed the Police Day in a different manner on Tuesday and dedicated their services to people who were affected by the recent erosion by the Ganga on its left bank in Kaliachak 3 block of the district.

The policemen, along with civic volunteers, went beyond the call of their duty and helped the residents shift their belongings and whatever they could salvage from their huts to safer places.

The homes of these people are standing precariously on land, chunks of which have been regularly gobbled by the raging river in the past few days.

The philanthropy of the policemen that provided the affected people with a sense of assurance has come at such a time of distress.

Since the morning of August 30, the Ganga has been eroding vast areas in the Kaliachak 3 block. It has so far swallowed over a kilometre long land where hundreds had their homes. In total, over 100 families have lost their land and houses so far.

The erosion, sources said, has turned acute at some villages under Birnagar 2 panchayat, particularly at China Bazar and Sarkarpara.

As the erosion started, the residents realised that it was just a matter of time before their huts would be guzzled by the river. This made them dismantle the structures and carry away whatever they could — bricks, tiles, bamboos, piles of straw — along with their other belongings.

With the residents trying to shift such items to safer places in panic, the policemen turned up in the area and extended their help.

A policeman helps affected residents remove household items Soumya De Sarkar

“As we found people moving away with different items, we stood by them and helped them shift those to safer places. We are concerned about maintenance of law and order on a day-to-day basis. But how can we stand mute when so many people are in trouble?” asked Tridip Pramanik, the inspector-in-charge of Baishnabnagar police station.

The cooperation from the police brought some solace to the erosion victims. “We have been fighting against the Covid-19 pandemic for the past six months. Regular earnings of many of these families have become uncertain. Now the curse of the erosion has made life harder. The compassionate touch of the police made us feel better at least,” said Manik Mandal, a local panchayat member and also a victim of the erosion.

Such an initiative by the police team has also earned appreciation from senior cops.

“The humanitarian act by our men at Baishnabnagar made us proud. In Malda, we have been trying to build a bond with citizens. The way Baishnabnagar police have served the people in distress is significant on the occasion of the Police Day,” said Alok Rajoria, the superintendent of police, Malda.