A mobile tower in Patna. Telegraph picture

Patna, June 19: The state police headquarters has approved the proposal of setting up 152 base trans-receiver stations (BTSs) in Naxalite-affected districts of the state for better communication network during operations against the rebels. The state-run telecom operator Bharat Sanchar Nigam Limited (BSNL) would carry out the task.

“We recently received a letter of the inspector-general (IG) of police (operations) with regard to survey of the areas where BTSs are to be installed,” K.N. Rai, the BSNL’s divisional general manager, Bihar circle, said.

He said a joint team of police and the representatives of the BSNL would conduct a survey and finalise the strategic locations. The BTSs would be installed thereafter, he said, adding that in the first phase 152 BTSs would be set up.

The Union ministry of home affairs has approved setting up of 365 BTSs in about a dozen Naxalite-affected districts of the state, particularly on Bihar-Jharkhand and Bihar-Uttar Pradesh borders. The file was gathering dust at the state police headquarters since March this year.

Rai had shot off a letter to the IG (operations) on March 1, 2011 seeking the top police officer’s opinion on strategic locations of the BTSs. The IG (operation) was asked to submit the list by March 3.

“It is entirely a central government sponsored scheme meant for the Naxalite-affected states. The cost of the BTSs would be borne by the Centre. But the BTSs would be installed in consultation with the state police officers,” Rai said.

Sources said 66 BTSs were exclusively meant for the state police while 259 BTSs would be installed for the carpet coverage of the Naxalite-affected districts. Total 88 BTSs would be installed to cover the villages having population of more than 2,000. The BTSs would be set up in Gaya, Arwal, Jehanabad, Aurangabad, Jamui, Nawada, Rohtas and Kaimur districts in the first phase. There are plans to spread network in the other Naxalite-affected districts, including Sitamarhi, East Champaran and West Champaran.

The Maoists are opposed to the Centre’s move to provide better communication network to cops. They apprehended that better connectivity would lead to the arrest of their top leaders as has happened in the past. A senior officer associated with the anti-Naxalite operations said mobile towers of telecom companies were the target of the rebels.