In a remarkable display of operational efficiency, the Gadchiroli police in Maharashtra have established a fully fortified Police Assistance Centre (PAC) in the remote and sensitive Phulnar area of Bhamragad subdivision. The entire facility, a strategic move to curb Maoist influence and accelerate development, was constructed in a mere 24 hours.
Swift and Strategic Deployment
The ambitious operation saw the deployment of a massive security force, including 1,000 C-60 Commandos, 21 bomb detection and disposal squads (BDDS), 500 special police officers (SPOs), and newly recruited personnel. Utilizing heavy machinery such as seven trailers, multiple excavators, and 25 trucks, the force worked relentlessly to erect the infrastructure at Phulnar, also known as Camp Gundurwahi.
Strategically located just 7 kilometres from the Chhattisgarh border and 20 kilometres from Bhamragad, this new PAC is the eighth such facility established since 2023. Its placement is designed to plug critical security gaps in a region long considered a Maoist stronghold. The state government had granted its formal approval for the centre on October 28.
A Fortress with Modern Amenities
Despite the rapid construction, the Phulnar PAC is a fully equipped modern outpost. It features WiFi connectivity, 12 porta cabins, a generator shed, and an RO water purification plant. The centre also boasts a mobile tower and toilet sheds, ensuring self-sufficiency for the personnel stationed there.
Security has been given paramount importance. The perimeter is heavily fortified with walls, bulletproof barriers, and sandbag bunkers. The post is manned by a robust contingent comprising three officers and 50 personnel from the Gadchiroli police, two platoons of the State Reserve Police Force (SRPF), and a combined force from the CRPF 37 Battalion and the Special Operations Unit.
Beyond Security: A Push for Development and Trust
The administration underscored the human-centric approach of this security push. Coinciding with the inauguration, a 'Jan-Jagran Melava' or public awareness gathering was held. During this event, essential items were distributed to local residents as a goodwill gesture. Women received sarees and footwear, men were given blankets and agricultural tools, and students were provided with educational materials and sports kits.
Officials highlighted that the new security cover is expected to be a catalyst for development. It will facilitate the completion of stalled projects, including the installation of mobile towers at Mouza Phulnar and Koparshi. Furthermore, it is anticipated to pave the way for new road construction and the resumption of state transport bus services, thereby improving connectivity and access for the tribal population.
The inauguration ceremony was attended by top security officials, including Neelotpal, Superintendent of Police, Gadchiroli; Dr Chhering Dorje, Additional Director General of Police (Special Ops); and senior officers from the CRPF, alongside Zilla Parishad CEO Suhas Gade.
