Changing face of red zone in Bihar

When Saman Kumar Daangi set up the first cyber cafe in Imamganj bazaar of this naxal-hit area nine years ago, there were no takers.

But that was then. At least three cafes within an area of half a kilometre have come in the bazaar now, nothing short of a revolution for the people in this backward constituency.

Scores of village youths, including girls, can be seen waiting outside Prime Computer Centre for their turn.

“I had opened the first computer centre in the bazaar in 2001. Then as the law and order situation improved, two more computer centres came up in 2008. Currently three of the five computer centres in the area have internet facilities. And terminals hardly remain unoccupied with village youths evincing keen interest in net-surfing,” says Saman.

The cyber cafes, which have come as a boon for residents of nearby villages like Bovandi, Malhar, Dubhal and Karain, do a brisk business but power supply remains a problem.

“Electricity connection has come but power plays truant during day time. Out of 24 hours, power is for around 10 hours during night and we have to depend on generators to run our business,” says Saman.

“Despite, Rajiv Gandhi Rural Electrification Project, there is no electricity in major parts of the constituency. Electric poles are there in many villages but wiring has not been done while at some places, transformers have not been installed,” a local Baleshwar Prasad said.

But Prasad is hopeful that the area would see a turn around once it is connected with 153-km state highway connecting Dumaria with the state capital. The under construction road will bring down the distance between Imamganj and Patna at least by 50 km.

The Vasudha Kendras opened by the state government which provide villagers at panchayat level facility for internent use have added to the cyber revolution.