Maoists blast mobile towers in Orissa

Malkangiri (Orissa), Jan 22 (ANI): A group of armed Maoists damaged telecom mobile towers of BSNL and Airtel at Kudumulguma town in Malkangiri District of Orissa.

The activists blasted the equipment box and burnt the generator sets of both the BSNL and Airtel towers, causing total disruption of telecommunication network.

Before leaving the spot, the Maoists left behind some posters asking people to observe bandh on January 25-26 in protest.

This is the second incident in this week. Earlier on Tuesday night, a group of armed Maoists blasted the Airtel mobile tower by exploding explosives in Korapat District.

The machine/battery room, two diesel generator sets and other equipments of the tower were completely damaged in the blast.

Airtel Mobile service in Malkangiri district has been disrupted as the tower at Kalia Atal in Koraput district bordering to Malkangiri district was the main link tower of Airtel network

According to preliminary estimate by Airtel officials the cost of damage due to the blast is Rs. 12 lakh approximately.

In Raipur, Union Home Minister P Chidambaram condemned actions of blasting mobile towers and school buildings and said Naxals want the poor to be remained poor and tribals to be in more isolation.

He reiterated the Centre's stand that talks can happen with banned organizations only after they relinquish arms. (ANI)