Gumla Villagers Threaten Vote Boycott Over Dilapidated Road, Demand Basic Amenities

Frustrated by years of neglect and a badly damaged road, residents of Lakra Kona village in Jharkhand’s Gumla district have threatened to boycott elections if their demands are not addressed. The villagers are seeking the repair of a nearly five-kilometre stretch connecting Lakra Kona to Goria Bandh, along with solutions to their electricity and drinking water problems.

Lakra Kona falls under Kobja Panchayat in Raidih block. The deteriorating road has made daily travel difficult, particularly during the monsoon, when rain turns the route into a major obstacle for residents.

Social worker Kamal Kishore Kisan visited the village on Sunday morning after learning about the residents’ difficulties. He met villagers, heard their grievances and inspected the damaged road along with them.

Residents said the road becomes extremely difficult to navigate during the rainy season. Once the rains subside, villagers often contribute their own labour to carry out temporary repairs so that basic transport can continue. Despite these efforts, the condition of the road makes it difficult for larger vehicles to reach the village.

The poor road connectivity poses a particularly serious challenge during medical emergencies. Villagers said patients often have to be carried on makeshift stretchers or traditional cots to reach the main road, delaying access to medical care.

Schoolchildren are also affected, as they struggle to travel to and from school every day. Student Manidev Kumari said children have little choice but to walk to school, with the journey becoming especially difficult during the monsoon. She added that a proper road connecting the village would provide significant relief to students and other residents.

Villagers Amarnath Singh and Mangal Ram said they had repeatedly raised the road issue with the concerned officials and public representatives, but no lasting solution had been found. Residents Manoj Nagesia, Savitri Devi and Saraswati Nagesia also expressed their dissatisfaction, warning that they would be forced to boycott voting if their demands continued to be ignored.

Apart from road repairs, the villagers have called for improvements in electricity supply and drinking water facilities, saying these essential services are necessary to improve living conditions in the village.

During his visit, Kamal Kishore Kisan assured the residents that he would approach the district administration and bring their concerns to the attention of the authorities. He said he would make efforts to ensure that the problems relating to roads, electricity and drinking water receive due attention.

The villagers are now awaiting concrete action from the administration. For Lakra Kona’s residents, a motorable road is not merely a matter of convenience but a necessity for accessing healthcare, education and other essential services. Whether their demands will lead to timely intervention remains to be seen.