Sukma district in Chhattisgarh has received its first-ever mobile phone tower, marking a significant step toward improving communication infrastructure in the region.
Installed inside a Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) camp in Tekulagudem village, the tower will provide cellular connectivity to several villages in the remote area.
On March 13, the CRPF’s 150th battalion erected a BSNL mobile tower inside the Tekulagudem forward operating base.
This tower is the first of its kind in the area, which lies in the Naxal-violence-affected Sukma district. The tower’s installation marks a key development for the region, where access to mobile networks had been limited.
“This mobile tower will provide essential connectivity to Tekulagudem and surrounding villages, such as Timmapuram, Jonaguda, and Puvarti,” a senior security official explained.
Puvarti is notably the village of Hidma, a wanted Maoist commander.
The Tekulagudem forward operating base, established in January 2024, has played a vital role in the ongoing efforts to combat Naxal violence in the Bastar region.
It was one of the first locations where the CRPF set up a base to support anti-Maoist operations and assist in local development work as part of the Union government’s strategy to eliminate Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) by March 2026.
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“Tekulagudem shares a border with Bijapur, another Naxal-affected area in Bastar,” the official added.
The mobile tower will also benefit the security personnel stationed at the CRPF camp, enabling better communication during operations.
BSNL officials traveled from Sukma and the state capital Raipur, covering a distance of around 600 kilometers, to mark the operationalization of the mobile tower with a special ceremony on the eve of Holi.
Tekulagudem has been a hotspot for Naxal violence, with a tragic attack in 2021 in which 23 security personnel lost their lives.
Despite the security challenges, the establishment of the forward operating base has paved the way for the creation of 15 additional CRPF and security bases in the violence-affected regions of south Bastar.
In recognition of the brave efforts of security forces, authorities have recommended 15 CRPF personnel for gallantry medals for their role in a fierce encounter on the day the Tekulagudem base was set up.
The clash resulted in the deaths of three CRPF personnel and 15 injuries, with the force ultimately deploying a newly inducted Wheeled Armoured Amphibious Platform (WAAP) to bring the operation to a successful conclusion.
In the wake of these developments, the CRPF continues to expand its presence in Chhattisgarh.
Over the past few years, more than three dozen such forward operating bases establish across the state.
Plans are in place to open an additional 14 bases this year, further strengthening security operations in the region.
The installation of the mobile tower represents not only a significant infrastructure improvement but also a crucial step in enhancing the safety and development of Sukma’s remote communities.
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