- विज्ञापन -
Chhattisgarh: Over the past year, the central and Chhattisgarh state governments have established at least 300 cell phone towers across villages in the Bastar region, particularly in areas where Maoists have been driven out, according to officials.
Cell towers are a key battleground between security forces and Maoist groups, as the government considers their installation a strategic move, while Maoists aim to destroy them.
Authorities revealed that at least 32 towers have been specifically set up inside Abhujmad, a dense forest spanning roughly 5,000 square kilometers across Maoist-affected districts.
This is the site of ongoing confrontations, including a recent gunfight in which six Maoists were killed. Last year, security forces ventured into parts of Abhujmad that previously remained unmapped and under Maoist control.
A senior security official stated that these 300 towers were planned on paper but couldn’t be installed earlier due to security risks. The government prioritizes installing towers and establishing healthcare facilities in areas where villages have been reclaimed from Maoists, to reconnect residents cut off for decades.
Maoists, however, have actively targeted these towers, setting fire to several—most recently in Narayanpur district, where two civilians were killed and a tower was destroyed five days ago.
Another officer mentioned that towers are being set up near security camps to reduce the risk of destruction by Maoists, who tend to destroy towers since they believe locals inform authorities about their movements.
The installation of these towers is also crucial as villagers are returning to areas reclaimed from Maoist influence, many after leaving decades ago.
For example, in Garpa village within Abhujmad, a tower was established shortly after security forces set up a camp there in November 2024, facilitating communication for residents who had fled long ago due to Maoist threats. Around 300 residents have since returned, and the connectivity allows them to communicate with families and stay connected to government services.
The government plans to install at least 79 more towers in Left Wing Extremism-affected areas of Chhattisgarh. Overall, the Union Home Ministry has identified over 10,500 locations across various states for tower installation, with nearly 8,000 towers already in place.
