Tumarkothi, a remote hamlet located in the foothills of the Maoist stronghold Abujmarh, received electricity for the first time on Monday as power lines were connected to the village decades after Independence.
Once known as a base camp of the People’s Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA) and heavily booby-trapped, the Gadchiroli village had remained in darkness for years. The electrification comes weeks after Union Home Minister Amit Shah announced a March 31 deadline to eliminate Maoist insurgency. The power supply was commissioned jointly by police and the Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL), marking a shift from insurgency to development.
Police also distributed free LED bulbs, holders, wiring and other electrical materials to tribal families. The work was carried out under the supervision of Gadchiroli SP M Ramesh and Additional SP (Operations) Karrthik Madhira.
For decades, the dense Dandakaranya forests around Abujmarh remained inaccessible due to Maoist activity and booby traps, keeping tribals deprived of roads, healthcare, education and electricity. Villagers relied on kerosene lamps for generations.
“The tide turned with sustained commando operations. In December 2025, Gadchiroli Police established a police station in Tumarkothi in 24 hours, despite formidable logistical and security challenges. Located 2km off Chhattisgarh border, the outpost became the foundation for restoring administrative control and enabling development,” said Additional SP Madhira.
Despite difficult terrain and security threats, police teams worked with MSEDCL engineers to install electric infrastructure in the village.
For residents, the moment was emotional. “We lived in darkness for decades. Now our children can study at night, water pumps will run and life will improve,” a villager said.
The electricity supply is expected to improve lighting, drinking water, education and livelihood opportunities. Earlier this year, police also helped restart bus services on the Tumarkothi-Aheri route and organised a health camp benefiting over 200 villagers.
Across Gadchiroli, development under police protection has accelerated, with 559 mobile towers installed, 424 km of roads constructed and 65 bridges built.
SP Ramesh said, “After achieving the national objective of eradicating Maoism, rebuilding infrastructure and winning the trust of tribals is our priority. Electrification of Tumarkothi is a step towards integrating these areas with the mainstream.”
👉 Click here to read the latest Gujarat news on TheLiveAhmedabad.com