Balodabazar villagers gear up for Agitation

Balodabazar | Correspondent: Frustrated by the lack of basic amenities such as irregular electricity supply, poor road conditions, and delays in the recognition of community forest rights, villagers from Gram Panchayat Bar in Balodabazar district have announced plans to launch a protest.

Under the leadership of Gram Panchayats Bar and Mudpar, residents from 21 other villages have also joined the movement. A meeting was recently held to discuss the strategy and course of action for the proposed agitation.

The villagers have put forward three key demands. Villagers allege that several villages continue to face frequent power outages, while some areas remain without electricity for extended periods, forcing residents to live without basic power facilities. Residents claim that claims and applications related to Community Forest Rights (CFR) and Community Forest Resource Rights (CFRR) from around 18 villages are still pending with government departments. They argue that the delay has deprived eligible communities of their forest rights.

The villagers have also demanded immediate repair of damaged roads. They said poor road connectivity makes it difficult for patients to reach hospitals on time and severely affects transportation during the monsoon season. Farmers, schoolchildren, and patients are among those most affected by the deteriorating road conditions.

The villagers stated that if their demands are not addressed promptly, they will intensify their protest in the coming days.

(File Photo - Symbolic)