In its bid to boost connectivity among the troops while conducting operations in the Naxal-affected States, the CRPF is procuring 250 satellite phones in addition to those already in use.
The paramilitary units in the Naxal-hit areas already have 257 satellite phones. These communication sets are vital for operations in the areas dominated by the ultra-left extremists.
The force is also procuring 400 satellite personal trackers which will be provided to the troops deployed in the Naxal areas for tracking the movement of the force’s personnel during operations. At present, the force has only 56 satellite troop locators. As many as 1,200 personal trackers have been authorised to be procured by the CRPF under the Modernisation Plan II.
“Procurement of 250 more Satellite phones under Modernisation Plan II in the final stage and same will be issued to the units deployed in Naxal areas after supply of these equipments materialises,” a senior official said.
Distribution of Satellite phones is being made after taking into consideration the area of deployment/operational requirement and mobile connectivity. Priority is given to the companies where there is no mobile connectivity. Connectivity of the troops will be increased with the procurement of additional 250 Sat phones, the official added.
Demands for the supply of these gears have been coming to the CRPF Directorate paramilitary Sectors like Odisha, South Zones and CoBRA (Combat Battalion for Resolute Action).
Apart from affecting operational efficiency during counter-insurgency actions, lack of communication also adversely affects collection of real time intelligence in the Naxal areas that do not have mobile network. This besides, the lack of connectivity is also a major difficulty for the CRPF jawans who are not able to communicate with their family members.
A total of 38 CRPF campuses in Chhattisgarh have been identified for installation of BSNl towers and the public sector service provider has proposed erection of 497 towers. The BSNl has already begun installation work at 22 sites including Basaguda.and Sarkeguda, which are Naxal hot zones with poor mobile connectivity.