Assam: Margherita villagers threaten to boycott elections over longstanding neglect

Frustrated over decades of unresolved issues, residents of Amrit Gaon, Ledo, under Khumchai Gaon Panchayat in 83 No. Margherita Constituency, have announced their decision to boycott the upcoming panchayat and assembly elections.  

The decision was taken during an awareness meeting held on Sunday at Amrit Gaon Primary School, where villagers discussed their persistent grievances, including poor road connectivity, lack of healthcare services, rampant drug and alcohol abuse, absence of Jal Jeevan Mission water supply, soil erosion, irrigation deficiencies, and unresolved land issues.  

The meeting was presided over by John Hans, Secretary of the Amrit Gaon Village Defence Party, and attended by over 400 villagers along with prominent community members such as Mitro Lal Gorh, Pradip Tanti, Dinu Bhuihar, Bogawati Gorh, and veteran journalist Ram Prasad Ambedkar.  

John Hans expressed deep disappointment, stating that despite 78 years of independence, Amrit Gaon remains deprived of basic rights and infrastructure. He highlighted the severe impact of soil erosion, which has resulted in the loss of over 100 bighas of agricultural land to the Buridehing River, and lamented the high dropout rates and low literacy levels due to the lack of educational support.  

Speaking at the event, Ram Prasad Ambedkar emphasized the importance of education as a tool for empowerment, urging residents to prioritize literacy to demand their fundamental rights effectively.  

Community leaders, including Mitro Lal Gorh, pointed out that multiple memorandums had been submitted to Margherita MLA Bhaskar, the Margherita Co-District Commissioner, and Khumchai Gaon Panchayat authorities, but their repeated appeals had been ignored. In protest, the 970 registered voters of Amrit Gaon have collectively decided to abstain from voting in the upcoming elections unless their demands are addressed.  

The residents' decision underscores deep-rooted discontent with governance failures, signaling a call for urgent intervention by the authorities.