Villagers block road demanding road, water, Lifted after assurance at Kailashahar

In a demonstration of frustration over persistent neglect by local authorities, residents of Srinathpur village in Kailashahar staged a protest by blocking the Baburbazar-Hirachara road from Wednesday morning. The protest, led by villagers from Ward No. 2 area of Srinathpur Gram Panchayat, centered on grievances concerning the inadequate provision of drinking water and the deplorable condition of roads crucial for the community's mobility.

With approximately 150 families residing in Ward No. 2, the sole dirt road serving their needs had become impassable, exacerbating daily hardships for the villagers. Accusations were directed at the panchayat secretary, Nanu Miya, and other members, attributing the dire situation to mismanagement and neglect.

According to the protestors, despite the delivery of essential supplies such as bricks for road repairs and pipes for drinking water, these resources mysteriously vanished without benefiting the community. The villagers alleged embezzlement of funds meant for well construction, further exacerbating their water scarcity issues.

Repeated appeals to the local panchayat yielded no tangible results, leaving the villagers disillusioned and angered by the authorities' apparent indifference. The blockade, spanning several hours, drew the attention of the Irani police station, prompting intervention to address the grievances.

In a bid to diffuse tensions, OC Jatindra Das of Irani police station engaged with the protestors, promising to liaise with relevant departments to address the pressing concerns within the next two days. Assured by this commitment, the protestors agreed to lift the blockade around 2 pm.

The resolution marked a temporary respite for Srinathpur villagers, who had long endured the consequences of neglect and mismanagement. However, the incident underscores the urgent need for sustained efforts to address infrastructure deficiencies and ensure the welfare of marginalized communities.