Fighting Maoism with Mobile Towers

Fighting Maoism with Mobile Towers

06-07-2025

Why in the News

  1. The Bijapur district in Chhattisgarh, one of India's worst Maoist-hit areas, is witnessing increased mobile tower installations to improve connectivity.
  2. This infrastructure push is part of broader efforts to bring remote and conflict-affected areas closer to the national mainstream.
  3. A sharp rise in anti-Maoist operations since 2024 has also facilitated development efforts.

Key Highlights

  1. Background of Bijapur
    1. Part of the Bastar region in Chhattisgarh, which includes seven districts:
       Bastar, Kanker, Kondagaon, Narayanpur, Dantewada, Bijapur, and Sukma.
    2. Among these, Bijapur is considered the worst-affected by Left-Wing Extremism (LWE), making development efforts especially challenging.
  2. Mobile Connectivity Expansion
    1. 48 towers installed between January 2024–June 2025.
    2. Covers 110 villages, compared to 24 towers in 2022 and 2023 combined.
    3. 20 new towers set up in 2 years despite threats and sabotage.
  3. Security Situation and Operations
    1. Anti-Maoist operations stepped up: 88 encounters in Bijapur from Jan 2024June 2025.
    2. 184 Maoists killed and 771 arrested.
    3. 732 IDs seized, 429 weapons recovered.
  4. Impact on Villages
    1. 45% of villages in Bijapur now have mobile network coverage.
    2. Access to digital services, financial inclusion, emergency response improving.
  5. Ground-Level Realities
    1. Security threats persist; mobile towers are often targeted by Maoists.
    2. Officials, security personnel, and civilians still face regular attacks.

Left Wing Extremism (LWE)

  1. What is LWE?
    1. LWE, also called Naxalism, is a violent movement inspired by Maoist ideology.
    2. It aims to overthrow the Indian government through armed struggle and set up its own rule.
    3. It mainly operates in tribal and remote regions, especially in the Red Corridor (parts of Chhattisgarh, Jharkhand, Odisha, etc.).
    4. LWE groups attack police, destroy roads, schools, and mobile towers, and run parallel systems in villages.
  2. Causes
    1. Poverty and Inequality
      1. A majority of LWE-affected areas are tribal-dominated and fall under the Aspirational Districts Programme due to poor socio-economic indicators.
      2. NITI Aayog data shows that districts like Dantewada, Bijapur, and Malkangiri score low in health, education, and income indices.
    2. Lack of Development
      1. Poor road and telecom connectivity prevent the delivery of welfare schemes.
      2. Schools and health centres are either non-functional or regularly targeted by Maoists.
    3. Exploitation and Alienation
      1. Historical displacement of tribals from forests without proper compensation.
      2. Delay in implementation of the Forest Rights Act (2006) leads to alienation.
    4. Weak Local Governance and Justice
      1. Insufficient presence of local administration due to fear of Maoist attacks.
      2. Delays in resolving land disputes, ration card issues, and pension delivery breed resentment.
    5. Exploitation by LWE Groups
      1. Maoist cadres fill the governance vacuum by delivering quick "justice" through Jan Adalats.
      2. They propagate anti-government sentiments by exploiting local discontent.
  3. Impacts
    1. Blocked Development
      1. Infrastructure projects are delayed or sabotaged (e.g., mobile towers, roads).
      2. Limited access to education and health worsens human development.
    2. High Loss of Lives
      1. Both civilians and security forces suffer fatalities in Maoist ambushes and IED attacks.
      2. Teachers, contractors, and health workers are frequently targeted.
    3. Fear and Displacement
      1. Constant violence forces villagers to flee and live in camps or towns.
      2. Migration disrupts education, farming, and community life.
    4. Government Schemes Fail to Reach
      1. DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer), PDS (ration), and healthcare schemes don't reach remote areas.
      2. Lack of telecom network and banking services makes Aadhaar-seeding and delivery difficult.
    5. Economic Loss and Extortion
      1. Maoists extort money from contractors, traders, and even government employees.
      2. Destroyed assets like school buildings, mobile towers, and roads hamper local economies.
  4. Government Initiatives to Fight LWE
    1. Security Measures
      1. Special Forces and CRPF deployed in affected areas.
      2. Fortified Police Stations and new security camps set up.
      3. Use of drones, surveillance, and joint task forces.
    2. Development Push
      1. Roads built under RCP LWE and RRP-I (17,000+ km sanctioned).
      2. Mobile connectivity through 10,000+ planned towers.
      3. New schools, skill centres, and ITIs opened.
    3. Financial and Social Inclusion
      1. 1,000+ new bank branches, 5,700+ post offices, and 37,000+ banking agents.
      2. Skill training, tribal youth recruitment into police/security.
      3. Civic Action and Media campaigns to counter Maoist propaganda.
    4. Policy Backing
      1. National Policy and Action Plan (2015): Combines security, development, and tribal welfare.
      2. Special Central Assistance (SCA): ₹30 crore per year for worst-affected districts.
  5. What more can be done?
    1. Build more roads and helipads
    2. Use solar towers, satellites, and better security
    3. Expand skill training and create local jobs
    4. Build trust through community policing and development
    5. Strengthen education and awareness programs

Impact on India

  1. Strengthening Internal Security
    1. Improved surveillance and communication for security forces.
    2. Easier coordination in anti-Maoist operations.
  2. Boosting Development in LWE Areas
    1. Access to government schemes and services through digital connectivity.
    2. Encourages migration toward mainstream economic activities.
  3. Enabling Financial and Digital Inclusion
    1. Mobile towers allow banking, payments, and DBT (Direct Benefit Transfer).
    2. Helps integrate tribal and remote communities into the digital economy.
  4. Bridging Governance Gaps
    1. Better delivery of education, health, and emergency services.
    2. Empowers local administration with tools for outreach.
  5. National Integration and Peacebuilding
    1. It helps people choose peace and better opportunities instead of joining Maoist groups.
    2. Supports long-term peace and stability in insurgency-prone regions.

Challenges and Way Forward

Challenge

Way Forward

Terrain and Infrastructure: Dense forests, lack of roads hinder tower installation

Use of satellite-based or solar-powered mobile towers

Security Threats: Maoists sabotage or destroy towers, attack personnel

Increase deployment around towers; tech-based surveillance

Lack of Skilled Manpower: Difficult to find technicians willing to work in remote, dangerous areas

Train local youth for maintenance roles

Sabotage and Vandalism: Past towers have been deliberately damaged

Community involvement to protect assets

Network Reliability: Connectivity still patchy in many areas

Use hybrid models (fiber + satellite + wireless) for resilience

Conclusion

The ongoing transformation in Bijapur represents a significant step in India's efforts to integrate conflict-affected areas into the development fold. Despite harsh terrain, persistent Maoist threats, and logistical challenges, the expansion of mobile connectivity is enabling digital access, security coordination, financial inclusion, and essential services. It reflects a model of “development as counter-insurgency” and highlights how infrastructure can become a vehicle of peace and empowerment. The smiles of villagers gaining mobile access for the first time underscore the deeper impact of such state-led initiatives.

Ensure IAS Mains Question

Q. "Development is the most effective counter-insurgency strategy." In the context of Left-Wing Extremism in India, critically examine how infrastructure development—particularly digital and mobile connectivity—influences security and governance outcomes. (10 marks)

 

Ensure IAS Prelims Question

Q. With reference to recent developments in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE)-affected districts, consider the following statements:

  1. Bijapur district is part of the Bastar region and is considered one of the worst-affected by Maoist violence.
  2. Between January 2024 and June 2025, more than 100 mobile towers were installed in Bijapur.
  3. Increased mobile connectivity in LWE areas supports digital governance, financial inclusion, and surveillance.

Which of the statements given above is/are correct?

  1. 1 and 2 only
  2. 2 and 3 only
  3. 1 and 3 only
  4. 1, 2 and 3

Answer: c

Explanation

Statement 1 is correct: Bijapur is one of the seven districts in the Bastar region of Chhattisgarh and is widely recognised as one of the worst-affected areas by Maoist (LWE) violence. It has seen some of the highest numbers of encounters and arrests in recent years.

Statement 2 is incorrect: Between January 2024 and June 2025, only 48 mobile towers were installed in Bijapur. This is a significant increase from previous years but does not exceed 100 as claimed in the statement.

Statement 3 is correct: Increased mobile connectivity in LWE areas like Bijapur has enabled better communication for security forces, improved access to government schemes via Direct Benefit Transfer (DBT), and helped bridge governance gaps through digital services like banking, education, and emergency response.

 

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