Nagpur: Tumarkothi, once a booby-trapped hamlet nestled on the foothills of the Maoist headquarters Abujmarh, remained enveloped in darkness since India's independence till the first power lines were pulled over freshly erected electricity poles to illuminate the Gadchiroli village on Monday.
The milestone comes weeks after Union home minister Amit Shah's March 31 deadline to eliminate Maoist insurgency with police in coordination with Maharashtra State Electricity Distribution Company Ltd (MSEDCL) commissioning the power supply. This marked a decisive shift from insurgency to infrastructure in Tumarkothi, which was once the base camp of People's Liberation Guerrilla Army (PLGA).
As part of the commissioning of power supply, police distributed free LED bulbs, holders, wiring and other electrical materials to the tribals. The electrification drive was carried out under the supervision of Gadchiroli SP M Ramesh and additional SP (Operations) Karrthik Madhira.
With Maoist footprint nearly eliminated, government agencies have begun restoring long-denied infrastructure in Gadchiroli. For decades, the dense Dandakaranya forests surrounding Abujmarh remained booby trapped to target security forces, effectively keeping government officials at bay and tribals isolated from education, healthcare, roads and electricity. Generations of villagers grew up lighting kerosene lamps at night as Maoist dominance enforced a reign of intimidation.
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, who stepped up positive policing in the Abujmarh foothills.
Despite treacherous terrain, poor connectivity and residual security threats, police teams worked closely with MSEDCL engineers to erect electric lines and infrastructure.
For villagers, the moment was deeply emotional. We lived in darkness for decades. Now our children can study at night, water pumps will run and life will improve, a resident said.
Electricity is expected to bring street lighting, household connections, improved drinking water supply and new opportunities for education and small-scale economic activity.
Earlier this year, police facilitated the launch of bus services on Tumarkothi-Aheri route the first in decades and organised a health camp that benefited over 200 residents. Across the district, development has accelerated under police protection, with 559 mobile towers installed, 424km roads constructed and 65 bridges built.
SP Ramesh said the focus has now shifted to development. 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, he said.
