Residents of six villages in the Ampi assembly constituency, predominantly Kaipeng community people, have decided to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha polls in protest against the government’s failure to provide basic amenities and address longstanding issues plaguing their communities.
The decision to boycott the elections was announced before the media on Sunday by representatives including Jailsingh Kaipeng, Daniel Kaipeng, Jishu Kumar Kaipeng, and Lalrinom Kaipeng on behalf of the villagers. These villages—Sontang no 1, Sontang no 2, Sontang no 3, Gandaek, Champatali, and Nupanggrumva—fall under the 41-Ampi Nagar constituency in Gomati district, collectively comprising around 735 voters.
The villagers expressed frustration over the deplorable condition of the road connecting their villages, which has remained neglected for decades. Additionally, they highlighted issues of irregular power supply and inadequate access to clean drinking water, emphasizing that no effective measures have been taken by authorities to resolve these critical problems.
Speaking to the media, villagers voiced their disillusionment with political leaders who, they claim, only visit the area during election seasons, making empty promises that are quickly forgotten once the polls conclude. This neglect and lack of tangible improvement over the years have led the villagers to take the drastic step of boycotting the upcoming Lok Sabha elections as a form of protest against the persistent deprivation of basic facilities and essential services.
Th decision which appears to be an extreme step to wake the government machineries up is likely to hit the hornet’s nest. While the opposition parties are likely to take up the matter to flay the ruing dispensation, the Election department will also have to be immediately taking up the matter and ensure that the villagers cast their vote in the ensuing election.
