Gumla village to boycott rural polls over road demand

Gumla: Upset over the non-construction of a road linking Baradih village under Belagada panchayat of Ghaghra block in Gumla district to the block headquarters, the villagers on Wednesday decided to boycott the panchayat election scheduled here on May 19. The village, having 125 households, has about 275 voters.
“We are united in our stand — ‘No Road, No Vote’. Why should we cast our votes when no elected representative understands our problems and works to mitigate these,” said aggrieved Basant Yadav.
Villager Jayant Singh said, “We have to go to the block headquarters for the smallest works. We face problems in transportation due to the lack of a proper road. The troubles aggravate for the sick people who have to visit the hospital at Ghaghra due to non-motorable road. Therefore, the village has unanimously decided to boycott the polls.”
Another villager Shankar lamented, “After the village primary school was merged with Halmati Middle School located 2 km away, our children have to cover the distance on a daily basis. Also, the students of classes 9 and 10 have to trek 12 km each way to attend schools in Ghaghra block or the Navadia High School. Imagine their plight in the absence of proper roads.”
Another villager asked, “Our representatives have failed to deliver. So, what’s the use of participating in the election process?”
A poll candidate, Bindeshwar Yadav, said, “A five-km stretch from Baradih to Ghaghra block headquarters via Ghiratangar is in utter bad shape. During the rainy season, mobility becomes a challenge. Irrespective of my candidature, I support the demand of my villagers.”
Ghaghra’s block development officer Vishnudeo Kachhap said he would send a proposal for a road to the government soon.