The Hindu : Other States / Orissa News : Naxals target mobile tower in Rayagada district

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Tuesday, Jul 01, 2008
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Naxals target mobile tower in Rayagada district

Staff Reporter

The diesel generator of the tower was damaged in the attack.

BERHAMPUR: Naxals tried to blow up a mobile tower of a private telecom operator in Rayagada district on Orissa-Andhra border to coincide with their “anti-repression week” which began on Thursday.

This incident occurred in the wee hours of Sunday. Two armed naxals had targetted the mobile tower located at the remote Durgapadu village about 40 km from district headquarters town of Rayagada.

According to police sources the naxals only managed to damage the diesel generator of the mobile tower. They had not been able to do much damage to the tower or its communication equipments. Due to remoteness of the location of the tower the police were late to get this news of naxal attack on the remote mobile tower. The Maoists also posted anti-government posters in the area.

Naxals had blasted a landmine near the BSNL tower at Kalimelain Malkangiri district on the night of June 17.

A havildar of a CRPF patrol was injured by the splinters of the blast which was suspected to be aimed at the tower to disrupt mobile and phone communication in the area.

Maoists had blown up a BSNL tower in the Balimala area of Malkangiri district on June 26 last year during their call for an economic blockade.

The Orissa Government has already assessed the threat of Maoists on the increasing network of mobile communication in the naxal-infested areas of the State. The Government is thinking of allowing telecom operators to set up their mobile towers in some police stations in naxals-infested areas.

It would increase the safety of the mobile towers in these areas from the wrath of Maoists. According to sources telecom operators like BSNL and Reliance Communications have already started ground work with the Government for the purpose. While the telecom operators have requested the Government to set up mobile towers in some police stations, the State Government has also recognized some police stations for this purpose.

Meanwhile, security has been tightened in Rayagada district for the anti-repression week of Maoists with combing operations in areas bordering Andhra Pradesh. Naxal posters have come up in remote areas like Chandrapur, Hanumantpur, Gadargudinala, Jarapa and Bijapur. All roads to Rayagada town are under watch of the security personnel and every vehicle entering the town is being thoroughly checked.

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