Why Did Maoists Set Fire to a Mobile Tower in Jharkhand?

Synopsis
Key Takeaways
- Maoists torched a mobile tower in Jharkhand.
- This was the second attack in three days.
- The incident caused significant disruption to communication.
- Local police are actively searching for the perpetrators.
- Residents are on high alert due to rising violence.
Chaibasa (Jharkhand), Oct 14 (NationPress) In a disturbing event, Maoists incinerated the mobile tower of a private company in Jharkhand's West Singhbhum district late Monday night, as confirmed by officials on Tuesday. This incident marks the second occurrence in the district within just three days.
Police reports indicate that a cadre of armed Maoists infiltrated Bahda village under the Chotanagra police station area around midnight, issuing warnings to residents to remain indoors.
Subsequently, they doused the tower's battery unit and control panels with petrol before igniting the fire.
The resulting blaze caused multiple explosions, leading to the complete destruction of the equipment and significant disruptions to mobile communication across a vast region.
After igniting the mobile tower, the insurgents reportedly lingered in the village for approximately an hour, leaving behind posters and pamphlets threatening retribution for the deaths of their comrades in recent confrontations with security forces.
Notably, this site is located just a few kilometers from both the Chotanagra police station and a nearby security camp.
Law enforcement arrived at the scene on Tuesday morning and initiated a search operation.
This act of arson has instilled fear among village residents, who are already on high alert following a similar attack on another mobile tower in the Jaraikela police station area on the night of October 11-12.
The latest assault aligns with a surge in Maoist activities in the Saranda Forest region. On October 10, CRPF Head Constable Mahendra Lashkar was killed, while two officers sustained injuries from a series of IED explosions orchestrated by the Maoists.
Officials have stated that these attacks appear to be a segment of the Maoists' ongoing "Revenge Week" (October 8-14), proclaimed in response to the deaths of several of their members during recent security operations.
The group has also announced a shutdown on October 15 across five states—Jharkhand, Bihar, northern Chhattisgarh, West Bengal, and Assam—cautioning of "major action" if their demands are disregarded.