Chamba Villagers Boycott Elections Over Lack of Basic Amenities

Residents of Makhan and Chachul villages in Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district boycotted the Lok Sabha elections, demanding roads, internet connection, and other basic facilities. They vow not to vote until their grievances are addressed, with issues like lack of roads and internet connectivity affecting daily life and education.

Residents of the twin villages of Makhan and Chachul in Churah subdivision of Himachal Pradesh's Chamba district took a stand against the Lok Sabha elections on Saturday, choosing to boycott the polls in protest over the lack of basic amenities, such as road and internet connectivity.

The residents, falling under Sanval gram panchayat, have made it clear that they will not cast their votes until the district administration addresses their long-standing grievances. Local resident Ravi expressed, "We will not vote until the district administration comes here and listens to our grievances."

Mukesh Kumar, another resident, highlighted the dire situation over a phone call, saying, "We are still waiting for internet connectivity, road and electricity. The condition is so poor that if someone falls ill, we have to carry patients on foot for 4-5 km to reach the health center. Several people have died due to the lack of timely treatment."

Despite informing the administration, the villagers allege no action has been taken to rectify these issues. Kumar added, "It has been 76 years since Independence, yet our village still lacks basic facilities like roads. We have decided not to vote as our demands have gone unheard."

Educational struggles also plague the villages, with no internet connectivity forcing several students to drop out during the COVID-19 lockdown. The residents are also calling for the repair of government school buildings and adequate staffing, bemoaning the current situation where one teacher is responsible for 100 students. In a desperate bid for change, the villagers threaten to escalate their protests if their demands go unmet.

(This story has not been edited by Devdiscourse staff and is auto-generated from a syndicated feed.)