The villagers of Juniani village in Rajbahal panchayat in Sundargarh district have decided not to allow the politicians or leaders of political parties to enter their village for panchayat poll because they have not yet been provided basic facilities in their village for long years.
And those who are coming to the village for votes, the villagers are first also asking them for basic facilities and thereafter, allowing them to talk about vote.
According to sources, Juniani village is situated on top of a hill and the road condition to the village has been worst for years. Other amenities like drinking water, electricity and school are also a daydream for them for last many years.
Sources said the total population of the village is about 200 and all are tribal. Since there is no school, all are uneducated. Crores of rupees are being spent for construction of road in Sundargarh district, from the fund of District Mineral Foundation but for this village, politicians are little concerned.
The villagers are depending on a small well for drinking water. The children are going to Anganwadi centre by walking 4 km through forest to Bileibahal village. Since elephant menace has always been in this village, villagers have been spending sleepless night in their home. Land mafia, after being hand in glove with the Revenue Department, have allegedly grabbed about 43 acres of land of some villagers.
The landlosers have been running to the Tehsil office to get justice but in vain. “In our village, we have no facility like road, drinking water, electricity and school, etc,” said Niharu Kerketta, a villager.
“These politicians come to our village only at the time of election to appeal for vote but thereafter they forget about their promise. We have been suffering a lot because of non availability of basic facilities at our villages. We have therefore decided not to allow anybody to campaign in our village,” Niharu added.