Elections are boycotted due to unmet basic demands from the administration.
Gariaband. (11:04): Even after 77 years of independence, residents of remote forest areas continue to lack basic amenities like electricity, water, education, healthcare, transportation, bridges, and culverts. Despite numerous rallies, demonstrations, protests, public hearings, and correspondence with the government administration regarding these demands, no concrete action has been taken. This neglect has led villagers to live without proper infrastructure, relying on unlit paths and makeshift arrangements for essential services. In response, the residents of Vananchal have decided to boycott the Lok Sabha elections.
During a meeting of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti in Kokadi, villagers from remote Vananchal Rajapadav and Sahebinakchhar areas of Mainpur development block in Gariaband district announced their decision to boycott the elections unless their demands for hospitals, bridges, and electricity are met. Dainik Ram Mandavi, President of the Kisan Sangharsh Samiti, expressed disappointment over the lack of development in the area and criticized the government for its failure to prioritize the needs of the people.
Roop Singh Markam, former Sarpanch of Sahbin Cachar Gram Panchayat, accused the administration of neglecting the region’s development needs. The Kisan Sangharsh Committee meeting also addressed the need to boycott election campaign vehicles and spread awareness about the boycott decision among villagers. Cash contributions were collected from 20 villages to support the operations of the Kisan Sangharsh Committee, and propaganda efforts were planned to raise awareness about the reasons behind the election boycott.
The meeting was attended by various community leaders, including Dainik Ram Mandavi, Roop Singh Markam, Harihar Yadav, and many others, with hundreds of villagers participating in the discussions.
