Maoists ban mobile use

MALKANGIRI: Keep off cell phones. This warning by the ultras is now ringing in the ears of people in the Naxal-infested Kalimela, Bhejangwada, MV-90, Telrai and MV-79 areas. Through hundreds of wall posters and banners, the Adivasi Raya Kuli Sangam, a frontal organisation of CPI (Maoist), has banned cell phones in Maoist-infested areas. But the threats do not end here. The Maoists have also banned gambling and traditional cock fights in Kalimela area and warned violators of dire consequences. They have also threatened the businessmen of stern action if they fail to pay suitable price to the tribals for their forest produce. Yet another warning has come for the contractors. The Naxals have categorically asked the Kalimela contractors not to engage in the Pradhan Mantri Sadak Yojana work. The banners have, in fact, warned of chopping off the hands and legs of the contractors engaged in the road construction work under the scheme. Earlier, the Maoists had set ablaze the vehicle of a Jeypore-based contractor in Kalimela after he refused to stop the work.The Maoists have also declared that hundreds of acres of land near the Kalimela OUAT farm will be distributed among the poor.