15 villages not to vote in HP CM’S constituency

SHIMLA: Perturbed over the environmental hazards of a cement plant set up in the area, 15 villages in chief minister Virbhadra Singh’s battlefield Arki, have decided to boycott the November 9 assembly elections.

The villagers, demanding rehabilitation, said they have been facing problems of air and noise pollution ever since the plant was set up in the area.

“Our life has become a living hell. We are running from pillar to post. The government is only giving us assurances,” said BR Sharma, a resident of Pachhiwar village.

The villages which are boycotting the elections are Khata, Baga, Suli, Bated, Koon, Pachhiwar, Sar, Damras, Jablu, Rauri, Dabaru, Dhawni, Paleri, Sulag and Sadheru.

“We were given scores of assurances but nothing has happened. Houses in the area are now developing cracks,” said Jagdish Sharma, a resident of Rauri village, who lives close to the plant.

“We held a meeting on Friday and decided to boycott the election. We will inform authorities about our issues too. A government which does not listen to such sensitive issues is of no use to us,” Sharma, who is also the convener of the Cement Plant Affected Farmers’ body, said,

The plant under question started production in 2010 and produces 10,000 MT cement a day.

Villagers claimed that they were always against the setting up of the plant. “Some houses are even located within a radius of six to 15 metres from the boundary wall of the plant,” said DR Thakur of Baga village, adding, “We don’t know how the government gave permission to set up the plant...”