Protests erupted in the Samrurpar panchayat area of Kailashahar as villagers demanded immediate renovation of a deteriorated road. The protest, led by Block Youth Congress president Nazrul Ali, saw villagers burning tires and blocking the road, causing disruption for daily commuters. The road in Ward No. 3 of Samrurpar village, under Chandipur block, has been in critical condition since 2018, affecting around 200 families. Many children who use the road to reach school have also been impacted.
The protestors claimed that despite repeated complaints to local authorities, no action has been taken. The inactivity of the local administration led to the road blockade. Upa Pradhan of Samrurpar Village Panchayat, Dilip Das, arrived at the scene to address the situation. Das accused the Congress of trying to pressure the ruling party ahead of the panchayat elections. He explained that the road could not be repaired due to its insufficient width for a brick-soled or concrete road, and noted that the same protesters were unwilling to provide the necessary land for expansion. Das emphasized the panchayat’s commitment to developing all roads in the area but stressed the need for community cooperation.
In a similar protest in Dharmanagar, local residents of Ward No. 5 in Prattek Rai Gram Panchayat blocked the Notunbazar-Kalachara road, citing a prolonged crisis of drinking water and poor road conditions. Protestors stated that the lack of proper road infrastructure and reliable water supply has forced them to rely on river water or their own ponds, and they also face constant electricity problems. Despite repeated appeals to the local corporation and ruling party leaders, they received only ‘false promises.’ Men and women from Ward No. 5 and Ward No. 4, encompassing around 40 to 50 families, participated in the protest, which led to hundreds of vehicles being lined up on both sides of the blocked road.
Police forces were dispatched to the area, but no solution has been reached so far. The local residents hope their collective action will finally draw attention to their plight and prompt the authorities to address the pressing issues of roads, water, and electricity.
