CRPF distributes over 10,000 radio sets in Bastar to counter Maoist influence ‘on air’

The Central Reserve Police Force (CRPF) has distributed more than 10,000 radio sets in remote Maoist violence-affected areas of Bastar in Chhattisgarh as part of a public campaign to promote national integration and move locals away from Maoist ideology. The initiative comes as the region is witnessing a decline in Left-Wing Extremism (LWE) violence.

The paramilitary force recently completed the four-month-long exercise after it held hundreds of small and large public events across villages.

The special civic action programme, covering seven districts of the Bastar region, was initiated by the Ministry of Home Affairs (MHA) at the beginning of this year with a budgetary allocation of ₹1.62 crore, a senior official said.

A CRPF commander based in Bijapur district said a total of 10,800 radio sets were distributed by 180 companies deployed across interior locations.

Connecting with locals

The programme has aimed to link almost 54,000 individuals, considering each family to be a five-member unit, he said. “The aim of the mega radio distribution drive is to connect the locals, tribals and villagers with the mainstream of the country.”

“While the force is working to achieve the Union government’s declared target of ending Maoism in the country by March 2026, these measures are part of engaging with the local community to wean them away from Maoist ideology so that the gains achieved by armed operations are anchored by awareness and welfare initiatives,” another officer said.

Locals were also informed about the various government and entertainment programmes that are relayed on the radio, apart from the monthly ‘Mann Ki Baat’ address by the prime minister, he said.

The Union government has asked by the CRPF to provide space for more radio towers in the remote locations so that the residents can access national and state- level broadcasts.

Each of the earmarked 180 companies of the CRPF was given 60 radios for distribution. Officials said the CRPF was chosen for this drive as it is the lead force that has created forward operating bases for conducting specific anti-Maoist operations in Chhattisgarh and is deployed well inside the most Maoist-violent areas.

The radio sets, procured for the special campaign, can run on dry batteries or directly through a power board connection. The cost of each radio set is about ₹1,500 and supports FM, MW and SW frequencies.