Jharkhand: CRPF initiative lights up 2 Maoist-affected villages

The Central Reserve Police Force's (CRPF) electrification initiative has brought light and hope to the lives of many residents of two Maoist- affected villages here.

Karamdih village in Latehar district of Jharkhand has been one of the most dominant epicenters of Maoist activities. The geographical complexity of the place, which is situated under the shadow of Burha Pahar, has worked in favour of Maoists and the villages here have notoriously remained their strategic standby to organize logistics and traverse routes. Being geographically locked from the mainstream because of peculiar terrain, the village has been many a time out of the reach of administration.

It was on June 20 this year, that troops of 112 Battalion CRPF were shifted to Karamdih to regain control over this tactical stronghold of Maoists.

On August 17, Inspector General CRPF Jharkhand Sanjay Lathkar visited the camp and was astonished to see the people of nearby villages deprived of any electricity, while the CRPF camp remained well lit and electrified with the help of available generators. Following consequent deliberations with a team of officers, it was decided to make some arrangement to provide basic electrification to the nearby households.

Within one week of the visit, utilising the available resources, CRPF laid out temporary electric line, connections with LED bulbs from available generators and electrified 10 households of Karamdih and Khamikhas village on the outskirts of the camp. Farthest house being around 200 meters away, approximately 60 villagers got electricity.

Speaking to ANI about the initiative, Lathkar said, "During my visit to the Karamdih camp I saw we are highly illuminated and the villagers are living in darkness. We decided that with the help of our generators, we will start with electrification in 200 meters. As of now, we have provided electricity to 50 villagers from our limited resources. Now the boys are able to study during the night, the village women can cook during night hours. The daily household chores which were ceased post-sunset remains alive now with buzzing activity. It has become a boon especially for infants, ladies, and students."

He also informed that the load capacity of generators at the CRPF camp is being monitored and if plausible, the power supply might be extended to more families as well.

The small step of electrification has triggered humongous hope in the lives of villagers from Karamdih and Khamikhas village.