In the remote hills of Shere Chandra Para, the Reang community residing in Thungchrai ADC village is confronting profound challenges as the second phase of voting looms. These issues have ‘forced’ them to take a drastic step: boycotting the upcoming elections in protest of the chronic neglect and deprivation they endure daily.
Shere Chandra Para houses approximately 100 families, mostly consisting of jhum cultivators living below the poverty line. Despite recent national celebrations like “Azadi Ka Amrit Mohotsav,” the promise of freedom and happiness remains distant for these families. Their primary concern revolves around the acute lack of basic amenities, particularly access to clean water.
The Reang people’s struggle is epitomized by their reliance on a distant mountain ridge, situated 2 kilometers away from their homes, for their daily water requirements. The precariousness of this situation is accentuated during the rainy season, when the risk of waterborne diseases and malaria outbreaks heightens. Even in the dry months, when the mountain water source recedes, they are compelled to journey to neighboring villages in search of water, compounding their hardships.
The challenges do not end there. The sole road linking Thungchrai ADC village is in a state of disrepair, exacerbating the isolation and impediments faced by the Reang community. Despite these palpable grievances, local leaders have demonstrated an apparent indifference towards addressing these fundamental issues, leaving the Reang people in a state of uncertainty regarding their future.
In response to this chronic neglect and disregard, the Reang community has decided to wield their electoral power as a tool for change. By boycotting the upcoming vote, they are sending a resounding message: their voices will not be stifled until their basic needs are acknowledged and met. This bold stance underscores their determination to demand accountability and action from the political establishment.
Meanwhile, both ruling and opposition leaders appear oblivious to the urgency of the situation, seemingly indifferent to the plight of the Reang community. As the elections draw near, the Reang people’s boycott serves as a poignant reminder of the profound disparities and challenges faced by marginalized populations in remote regions, spotlighting the imperative for genuine and inclusive governance that prioritizes the welfare of all citizens.
