Govt plans to set up phone towers in CRPF camps in Maoist areas

Maoists have been blowing up telephone towers in their areas

PTI | May 28, 2010



With Maoists blowing up telephone towers in areas controlled by them, the government has found a unique way of preventing such attacks.

The plan now being thought of is to erect the telephone towers within the "safe confines" of camps belonging to the CRPF and other security forces.

"The telephone and mobile towers can be installed within the camps and battalion or company headquarters of the central para-military forces and state police forces wherever available. A decision will be taken soon," a senior Home Ministry officer said.

Such camps are already secured by the troops and installing towers at such places will serve a dual purpose with no extra effort, the officer said.

According to a 2009 Home Ministry data, 53 telephone towers had been blown up by the Maoists while 38 railway properties, 20 panchayat buildings, 47 school buildings and 121 forest buildings, roads and culverts were destroyed the same year.

Cellular and landline connectivity is very essential for not only the security personnel but also for locals and district administration in the affected districts, the officer said.Maoist

Sources said in areas where the camps are not located, towers with an increased frequency could be installed to cover a larger area.

The Home Ministry has often inserted advertisements in newspapers and magazines with the catchline "who is against development?", reflecting the destruction of vital infrastructure, including cellphone towers, by Maoists.

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