Aurangabad: A football match was held on Wednesday at Deogiri grounds situated in city police commissionorate, as a part of an initiative of the Aurangabad city police, to increase interaction among youth across the city, instill trust among them and also promote communal harmony.To inspire the youth, a team led by commissioner of police Chiranjeev Prasad along with a team led by CIDCO administrator and MSEDCL Joint managing director Om Prakash Bakoriya held the maiden match.Authorities maintained that a decision in this regard has been taken after the police found that a majority of the youths, who actively participated in the recent riots were between the ages of 16 and 24 years. Several CCTV footages as well videos recorded using cell phones show youths indulging in arson and rioting during the riots that rocked the city last month.Taking advantage of the Football fever due to the ongoing football world cup matches, the football tournament kick-started on Wednesday and at least five matches were held till late evening.As a part of the move, all the area police stations, especially those facing communal clashes were asked to ensure teams from their areas participate in the matches. Although, eight of the 10 teams that reported were found to be community-specific teams, comprising either cent per cent Hindus or cent per cent Muslims players, the participants were in for a surprise.Crime branch inspector Madhukar Sawant said that they pre-decided that if community-specific teams report to ground, we will switch half of the players from Hindu team to the Muslim team and vice versa. The matches were also scheduled in a manner that they appeared that Hindu and Muslim football teams would be clashing with each other.After switching the team members, they were given few minutes to interact and know each other, mutually decide their positions on field and play a match together accordingly. To further motive the youths, T-shirts bearing names and numbers of football superstars were also given to each of the participants.“Every life is precious, and we simply don’t want them to be ruined. Youths are vulnerable and get used by communal elements during riots and law and order situations. We are firm that we will not let this happen,” Commissioner of police Prasad said.The officer said that while ensuring communal harmony, the law enforcement agencies remain in touch with clerics and community leaders and unfortunately miss out on winning confidence of the youths, who are found to be most misused during riots. With a series of initiatives, we intend to take things to the extent that the youths themselves abstain from falling prey to the traps of the miscreants, who maybe political or non-political, said Prasad.Sources privy to the development said that the city police have lined up a series of measures to win over the youths from across the communities and also to bridge the gap between these youths.

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