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

0

Rayagada: The Dongria Kondh tribal hamlets are found on the Niyamgiri hills in Rayagada district of Odisha. Niyamgiri hill range is part of the Eastern Ghats. These tribal people live in the forests and hills of Bisamkatak, Muniguda and Kalyansinghpur blocks. These areas are known as backward areas. Let us see how these remote pockets are gripped with panchayat poll fever. Kalinga TV team reached Niyamgiri hill to take stock of election situation in the isolated places.

Kurli panchayat is situated at a distance of 50 km from the district headquarter of Rayagada district. The number of voters in this panchayat is 3490. Out of them 1450 are male and 2024 are female. Spread over 23 villages, people here are far from getting basic amenities. Due to illiteracy, residents of these villages are even not health conscious. However, poll campaigning is going on in full fledge these days here.

Earlier, the candidates for Sarpanch post in this panchayat were being chosen in the village meeting with the consent of all.

In this upcoming election, educated candidates have stood for different posts in this panchayat. While some people are in favour of electing educated candidates, some others are interested for the traditional candidates who have also played part in the development of the area. However, voters have kept faith on educated candidates. They have hoped that with the coming of educated people to power, long run problems will be solved.

Two traditional veterans are contesting for Sarpanch in the Kurli panchayat. Both of them have been elected earlier. For the last two decades these two women have been contesting. For the term 2002 to 2012 Sobadini Wadeka had been chosen as Sarpanch. Similarly, from 2012 to 2022 Drinzo Jakasika is the Sarpanch. Both of them are telling about development.

Many of the villages are yet to be communicated through roadways. There is no mobile phone connectivity also in this area. Even, it is not possible to reach these places by motorcycle. Hence, the candidates are moving on feet from villages to villages for campaigning.

The tribal women who are seen attired with traditional dresses have come out of their homes this time for poll campaign. Wearing ‘Sapa’ as the head gear, pierced with ‘Nangulu’ in the nose and wearing Antasuta in the waist, they are seen wearing the traditional Dongaria Sal clothes during poll campaign. They are moving from house to house along with their women supporters. They are urging the voters to elect them so that they can complete their half-done (developmental) works.

While at this point of time it is hard to say whom the tribal people will chose, the result of the election will tell who will be the king of Niyamgiri hill.

Also read: Asia’s first Sugar Factory in Aska of Odisha, know history: Watch

Leave A Reply

Your email address will not be published.