Red zone await communication towers to 'save' jawans

Lack of communication network and reluctance of government agencies to expand telecommunication network in the Naxal-infested pockets has been proving dearly to the security forces combating the red army.

Due to lack of proper connectivity, the jawans trapped in the Naxal-ambush have been failing to communicate for reinforcement or brief about the situation. The wireless communication is normally avoided as rebels have been easily intercepting it.

"The Chhattisgarh government had sent a proposal and the home ministry had sanctioned about 500 mobile towers to be erected in the Naxal-infested pockets," a senior state government officials said. The telecommunication department had however failed to implement the proposal following Naxal terror.

The rebels have been opposing expansion of communication network in the area. The mobile service providers fear to operate in the area following threats from the rebels. The state-run Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) has started working on the project but at a snail-pace.

The state government has assured that it would provide power through solar energy for the mobile towers. The police stations in the Naxal areas have also been powered with the non-conventional energy. Once the mobile service reaches the red zone, Chhattisgarh government has planned to connect police stations to internet. The communication network in the Naxal heartland would arm the security personnel to effectively combat the left insurgents. But the Union government has been silent on the strategy. "The Naxal problem is a national challenge and we are committed to make a victory over it," Union Home Minister Rajnath Singh said. He however failed to reveal the strategy how to combat the Naxalites. The work on eradicating the Naxal problem was on and soon the result would be out, he added.