Kurnool: Kappatralla village in Devanakonda mandal of Kurnool district that was once synonymous with faction murders has been transformed into a zero-crime unit, thanks to the relentless efforts of concerned officials. Residents of the village, home to the hunting tribe Boyas and Weavers (Padmashali) who used to speak the language of revenge and pursued the practice of wild justice now live with each other in peace having buried their differences for good.
For 40 years, blood for blood and an eye for an eye was the belief of villagers. The village set a record of sorts with the murder of nearly 200 near and dear ones over the period in a faction feud between Kappatrala Venkatappaiah Naidu and Varam Padma. All that is history now. Kappatrala today is a model village with the efforts of Kurnool district SP Ake Ravi Krishna, who adopted the village and transformed it into a model village.
Kappatrala now figures on the international map of donors where Telugu Association of North America has adopted a classroom and converted it into a digital one with instant access to the latest knowledge at the tap of a button. On Friday, TANA Joint Secretary Ravi Potluri along with Mr Krishna visited the village and inaugurated the digital class room. To give confidence to the villagers scarred with death and fear, Mr Krishna recently bought a three cent plot at Kapatralla in Devanakonda mandal of Kurnool district and got it registered in his name at Kallur registration office.
Speaking to this newspaper, the SP said Kappatralla village is making rapid strides on all fronts. People are actively participating in the development programmes. He said development had been impeded by factionalism in the past but with a peaceful atmosphere prevailing now, things have changed. He said people now have opportunities for growth and lead peaceful lives.
The SP said that a farmers' cooperative thrift society was started at Kappatralla village in Devanakonda mandal. All farmers should enrol with the it. The Chief Pontiff of Mantralayam Raghavendra Swamy Math Sri Subhudendra Theertha Swamy promised to construct a community hall that can be used by all in the village, he said. Mr Krishna promised that Andhra Pragathi Grameena Bank would set up its branch at Kappatralla. A grievance cell would also be set up at the village panchayat office for the convenience of the people, he added. Kappatralla now boasts of a school over a five acre sprawling campus, 52 thrift societies, an Intel Globe Foundation belonging to Indigo Airlines, initiative on women empowerment, well laid out roads and an IPS officer's permanent residence.
