Echo of democracy in Maoist hub of Odisha

Locals gathered courage to contest in panchayat polls in Malkangiri's Mao prone areas

0

Malkangiri: “We are living life like jail inmates here. There is no communication facility. To reach the mainland from this isolated area we need to travel about 40 km in the waterway by moving through the Chitrakonda water reservoir. We are taking utmost pain to lead even the daily life here. Motor launch is the only medium of communication. It takes us three days to return to home once we go for the mainland. There is no certainty whether the Motor launch will come or not on any certain day. Here there is no hospital, school or Panchayat. The so called Panchayat office is running in a wretched house. Display boards are there showing PM Sadak Yojana. However, neither the roadwork gets completed and nor the work of the bridge. Our vicinity needs exigent development. And hence we have banked on the Panchayat poll. We want to vote so that a person can become the Sarpanch and all these issues can be addressed.

“Even we have informed our decision to the Maoists. We have convinced them that it is time now to move away from darkness to development. They (the Ultras) have also agreed to it. Yet, we are scared. Hence, if security will be provided by deploying police personnel we can cast our votes.” This was the version of some people in the State, who are residents of the deep anterior pockets of Malkangiri District. Probably, many people from the mainland might not have known about these people.

It is quite tough to reach the hamlets of these people. Besides, there is fear of Maoists. This place is in the border area of Andhra Pradesh and Odisha. Hence, nobody normally wants to pay visit to this area. And thus, this area has become isolated from the mainland. Good thing is that despite fear of Maoists, common people of this area have started to adopt democracy.

Jantri Panchayat in Malkangiri district is situated 150 km away from the district headquarters. This is an isolated area of the Swabhiman Anchal. To reach Jantri Panchayat one needs to move along many hills and water bodies which is a dangerous affair. However, the team of Kalinga TV decided to reach there.

After crossing Bangajodi of Andhra Pradesh the team reached Bangaput village. On the way the team entered Andhra Pradesh area and then returned to Odisha. After crossing deep forests and hilly terrains before reaching Jantri Panchayat, the team passed through Tantaguda village. Here there is the war room of the Maoists. Top Maoist cadres of the Odisha Board of Zonal Committee get assembled here. Blue prints of attacks are prepared here. Inside there are photographs of top Mao leaders. The team came to know that Maoists often visit here. Yet, interestingly, posters were witnessed pasted on the walls of this Mao war house while party flags were also fixed. There was a time when people feared to come to this place due to Maoists, but now they have gathered courage.

Developmental works undertaken by the Government are underway in the nearby panchayat. Local people have gathered courage banking on Police patrolling. Hence, if election successfully goes on, this area will also be linked with the Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri. People of Jantri panchayat surely are scared of Maoists. Yet, they have started to deal with it. The local women narrated their ordeal to the team.

The IIC of Jodamba Police Station that falls in the Swabhiman Anchal has said that election is definitely going to be held. There is no need of fearing the Ultras. Strict security arrangement has been made. Hence, people of Janti panchayat can freely vote.

Odisha Police DG Sunil Bansal had paid a visit to Malkangiri district yesterday. He took stock of the security arrangement in details so that election can be held peacefully in all areas of the district. He also appealed the Maoists to return to the mainstream.

State Government has undertaken multiple developmental works in the Swabhiman Anchal of Malkangiri district. The locals of isolated pockets like Jantri panchayat have banked on the Police system and Government. They want democracy now. If ample security will be provided, these people will be able to choose candidates of their own through election. And it will ultimately bring development to this area.

Prasad Nayak reports from Jantri village, Malkangiri

Also read: Poll fever grips tribal hamlets of Niyamgiri hill in Rayagada dist of Odisha: Report

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.