Maoist-hit Malkangiri's Swabhiman Anchal gets cellphone connectivity

KORAPUT: Swabhiman Anchal (erstwhile cut-off area prior to the construction of Gurupriya bridge in 2018), situated amid hillocks and dense forests under Chitrakonda block in Maoist-affected Malkangiri district, got mobile phone connectivity on Monday, seven decades after the Independence.
The Airtel Ltd commissioned a mobile tower each at Pipalpadar, Hantalguda and Jantapai villages in the Swabhiman Anchal and three more mobile towers at Tunnel Camp, Dyke-III and Darlabeda will be made operational soon.
“Providing mobile network was a part of the administration’s effort to strengthen infrastructure in the Swabhiman Anchal. Mobile connectivity will not only help connect the people of the region with the outer world but also the delivery of social security schemes could be expedited,” said district collector Manish Agarwal.
Moreover, security personnel deployed in the region for counter-insurgency operations are upbeat by the area coming under the map of mobile network as now passing of vital security-related information could be easy and furthermore they can remain in contact with their families.
"It’s a historic day for Swabhiman Anchal as it gets connected with mobile connectivity. Undoubtedly, the mobile connectivity will be immensely helpful for the security forces deployed over then and also will strengthen the police-public relation in the area,” said DIG (south-western range) Shafeen Ahmed, who was instrumental in bringing mobile network into the area.
When many companies were disinclined in providing mobile service in the area for various reasons, the DIG personally coordinated with the higher officials of Airtel Ltd and the district administration to ensure that Swabhiman Anchal comes under mobile network. "Development of Swabhiman Anchal tops our priority list and in coming days more forces could be deployed in unrepresented areas to ensure that development penetrates into the last point of Swabhiman Anchal,” the DIG said.
"This connectivity will help villagers in availing various govt services, health & will also enable childrens from these villages in e learning. We endeavor to further the peaceful development of this area through active public participation and ensuring secure environment through our police stations & BSF camps," tweeted Malkangiri SP.
While a BSF company is deployed each at Janbai, Bodopoda, Jantapai, Hantalguda and Jodambo for anti-Naxalite operations in the area, a police station was inaugurated by Odisha DGP Abhay at Jodambo in June. Project director, DRDA, (Malkangiri) Balamukund Bhuiyan over 200 tube-wells over 200 tube-wells have been dug in the area and electrification has been provided to almost all the villages. “In July, for the first time bus service was introduced to the Swabhiman Anchal,” Bhuiyan said.
Surrounded by the Balimela reservoir from three sides and bordering to Andhra Pradesh, the Maoists had converted the swabhimaan anchal, comprising of 151 villages with over 20,000 populations, as their “liberated zone” as watery way was the only mode of communication to reach the place. The remoteness of the area way back to the mid 60s when vast tracks were submerged for the Balimela reservoir. However, since the construction of the 910 metre long Gurupriya Bridge in July 2018, the state government has expedited development activities in the region.