'Damdiei PCO' in Hmar Hills circa 2014

[caption id="attachment_786" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Residents of Damdiei village in Hmar Hills, Churachandpur district of Manipur, are forced to head to this temporary structure which is almost 2 km from the settlement to make a phone call. Imagine this is happening in the year 2014. Surprisingly, the mobile signal comes from Mizoram and not from the towers in Manipur. How well this area that is inhabited by the Hmar tribe governed speaks for itself. Photos by Lalmalsawm Sungte[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_789" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Villagers proceed towards the 'PCO'.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_788" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Hmarram.com founder tries to make that crucial connection to New Delhi. After several attempts, a poor signal was received and a call frequently interrupted by noise was finally possible.[/caption]

[caption id="attachment_790" align="aligncenter" width="520"] People trying to see if they could connect to the Internet. Was it possible? NO WAY![/caption]

[caption id="attachment_791" align="aligncenter" width="520"] Villagers make calls to their families living in other towns and cities across the country. You are cursed, if your boyfriend or girlfriend lives elsewhere. Remember, you simply cannot make 'lovely' phone calls at a PCO, because there is no privacy. This spot is the only place where one could get a mobile phone signal.[/caption]