Community policing initiated in the three Naxal-affected districts of Uttar Pradesh was showing good results and had helped restore the faith of the people in the force, a top state police official said today.

Relations between the police and the public in these areas have improved and the force is now getting information about the Naxals from the locals, Additional Director General, Law and Order, Brij Lal said here after distributing sewing machines and school bags in Sherawan and Shankargarh areas.

Favouring introduction of community policing to tackle the Naxal menace, the ADG said that the aim of the police was not just to arrest law breakers but also to bring them into mainstream.

"Police had recently arranged for coaching facility in Sonebhadra for 124 candidates aspiring to join the police force following which 29 of them got selected," the ADG said.

He said the state government was giving "top priority" to Naxal-affected districts of Sonebhadra, Chandauli and Mirzapur.

UP Police has involved poor and unemployed people in Maoist-affected areas for help in return for financial or other aid to start trade.

Later, the ADG also conducted a meeting of zonal heads of the eastern districts of Uttar Pradesh here and discussed steps being taken to tackle the Naxals.