New Delhi: With Naxals 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 Naxals 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 naxal affected districts,
the officer said.
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.
PTI
