Progress hope wins over bullet fears
KARRIKHURD (BOKARO): Fear of Maoists’ bullets failed to deter villagers in Gomia block of Bokaro district from voting for development. Villagers said they wanted a local government that would ensure them roads, drinking water, education and health services.
Men and women of Karrikhurd village, around 20 km away from Gomia town, came out to vote in panchayat polls held on Sunday. Gomia block is a Maoists’ stronghold.
“About 75% of poor people in our village do not figure in the BPL list. The approach road to the village is in a bad condition. A large number of youths migrate for jobs. We voted with the hope of a better future,” said Neelkanth Mahto of Karrikhurd.
“Our paddy crop dried up due to lack of rainfall and irrigation facilities. We hope that elected representatives would provide us irrigation facilities,” said Dheeraj Kumar Lahri, a youth of Badki Chidri village.
Bokaro deputy commissioner Manoj Kumar said heavy polling was recorded in Jhumra hills, a Maoist hotbed. Extremists had issued a dikat to villagers to boycott panchayat polls.
“It is mainly due to voting in the Maoist-hit area that voting percentage in Gomia block crossed 70%,” Kumar said.
Bermo sub-divisional officer Ramesh Gholap said, “People have taken part enthusiastically in the elections. The polling percentage is as high as 85% in some areas.”