RAIPUR: Security forces were baffled to find a contemporary printing press being installed by the outlawed CPI (Maoist) on a mountain top in the remote forested terrain of Madopara in restive Sukma district, south Chhattisgarh. The printing unit, which was reportedly used to publish documents, statements and other publications of the banned organisation was finally destroyed by troopers.
With several distantly located villages in the inhospitable areas of the conflict zone of Bastar in need of the off-grid power supply, the Maoists seem to have found their way to harness the sun’s power using solar plates to generate electricity for their use.
“During a search operation the forces found a small printing press set up, powered by the portable solar panels, installed on top of the mountain. Some printed documents and other publications of the Maoists were traced at the location. This is the first of its kind traced by the police”, said a senior police officer.
Acting on a tip-off about the location of Maoist leaders, a joint team of the district police force and specially trained District Reserve Guards (DRG) launched a search operation and reached the area. “The rebels after being cornered had opened fire on the troopers. There was an exchange of fire following which the ultras fled. The forces further continued their movement and found the printing press unit, heavy batteries and solar plates on the mountain”, police said.
The equipment, the printing machine and batteries were quite heavy to carry back, and were destroyed by the security forces.
In Chhattisgarh, printing press owners have been given an advisory to be wary printing any material or propaganda for Maoists or their sympathizers.