When villagers stayed off vote and repaired a road

SNS, DARJEELING 26 June 2022:  People from Lebong Bara Sittong and Gumba Gaon under the Kurseong sub-division in Darjeeling today skipped the elections to the Gorkhaland Territorial Administration (GTA).They instead embarked on a road-repair drive in their villages.The two villages there with around 350 voters had already come up with a slogan 'No Road, No Vote' for the GTA elections, polling for which was held today.

A resident of Lower Bara Sittong, Suhash Thapa, said, "The villagers intention in boycotting the elections was to show unity and ensure our demand was heard. In 2012-, two days of Work under the 100 days scheme was carried out here, but was stopped abruptly. If we do not repair and look after the road, which is our lifeline, we will be cut off from the rest of the world. We have been victimized for very long."

Soon after the state government announced the GTA elections, members of the two villages submitted a memorandum to the district administration and leaders of various political parties, seeking immediate road repairs, but failed to evoke any response, villagers said. 

Another villager, Sushi! Mukhia of Gumba Gaon, said, "We boycotted the polls after a unanimous decision was taken by the people in the two villages. Till our roads are properly paved and pitched, wewill continue to refrain from casting our votes, even in other upcoming elections.

Ours is a mere 1-km stretch of road, but it is in a very bad condition and is notmotorable, especially during the monsoon season. We have to carry patients on our back to reach the main road." 

The villagers said that on June 9, members of the two villages had met and submitred a memorandum to the sub- divisional officer and block development officer and that they were given positive response. "But we will believe in them only when the construction work actually starts here," Mr Mukhia said.