Jhumpura: Tribal residents of Kendughati in Phuljhar panchayat under Bansapal block in Keonjhar district, embittered over their backwardness and lack of basic facilities, have warned of boycotting the coming elections.
During a public hearing camp held by the Collector, they have also warned that they would not allow any leaders to enter the village during electioneering.
Geographically, the village with a population of over 800 is sandwiched between two rivers — Baitarani and Manada. On one side is Maryana Nachuni hill and a forested stretch.
Commuting is a major issue for the villagers. Boats are the only means of transport/communication with the outside world. Collection and sale of minor forest produce and agriculture is the mainstay of their livelihood. Healthcare is not accessible and the government is yet to build a road to the village.
“No officials have ever set their feet in the village to see our condition,” lamented Gobinda Dehury, Makardhwaj Giri, Babaji Barik, Bhagwan Dehury, Santosh Barik and Debanada Dehury.
In the monsoon, the villagers remain confined to their homes when the two rivers are in spate and communication is cut off from the rest of the world.
Residents fail to bring essential commodities and PDS provisions to the village while school and Anganwadi get closed. In such a situation, development has taken a backseat.
After flood recedes, people find it convenient to use boats to cross the river and carry essential commodities. However, boat journey has been fraught with risk. Mishaps have taken place in the past with people losing their lives as well as goods in the river waters. With no bridge and road, many people have to trek kilometres and cross rivers on country boats that are mostly unregistered and worn out to reach block and panchayat offices.
The labourers depend on unauthorised boats for going to other villages for work. Children take the risky boat ride every day to attend schools in neighbouring panchayats. Despite the hazardous journeys the villagers, including women and children, undertake every day, the administration has failed to wake up to the risky ferry service.
As the village is situated in a hilly area, people cannot engage fully in farming. They depend on forest produce. With no road, facilities like electricity, safe drinking water and buses are a daydream for the villagers.
PNN