Mobile tower signals shift away from Maoists’ muscle in C’garh

Bijapur villagers celebrate arrival of phone network with folk drums and in traditional dresses

- EJAZ KAISER @ Raipur

THE inhabitants of Kondapalli village in Chhattisgarh's Bijapur district feel that their lives have taken a turn for the better after the Maoists' stranglehold was dismantled by security forces.

The remote area got mobile connectivity for the first time in April this year, an achievement cited to be a sign of decline of influence of Leftwing extremism. The Kondapalli gram panchayat also received electricity from this year.

Kondapalli tribal families rejoiced at the installation of a new mobile tower in their village and celebrated the occasion with dancing in colourful tribal costumes to the beats of traditional 'mandar' hand drum.