Giving a body blow to Prime Minister Narendra Modi’s Swachch Bharat Abhiyan, Panchayat polls votes counting process in Lakhimpur district caused unprecedented littering and dirt in North Lakhimpur.
The gathering of thousands of supporters of various contesting candidates of the Panchayat poll near the Lakhimpur Deputy Commissioner’s Office in North Lakhimpur on the counting days resulted in dirtying of the entire area with garbage and human wastes. Since the early morning of December 12, the day of counting of ballot papers of the Panchayat polls, huge numbers of crowds converged in front of the DC’s office, District Judicial Complex, Circuit House and District Library to hear the announcement of results of their supporting candidates.
The Lakhimpur district administration in association of Lakhimpur police barricaded four roads from different corners that led to the North Lakhimpur Govt. HS School, the venue of counting of ballots. However, the police allowed people to cross the barricades restricting the entry of all types of vehicles. The authorities also allowed road side kiosks selling eatables inside the barricaded areas of the roads during counting days. As the counting continued for three days till December 14 morning, the large presence of people inside the barricaded areas caused unprecedented dirt and littering of garbage. People threw plastic bottles, cups, wrappers and various wastes in that area along with other wastes like food leftovers.
Moreover spiting and littering with tobacco products and beetle nut chewing further made the places look very dirty. Most importantly, open air urinating and defecation by the crowds in that area made it more stinky and unhealthy for three days—leaving the local residence in utmost trouble and discomfort.
The authorities did not make any arrangements for toilets in the areas close to ballot counting centre while allowing large crowds to gather. The mushrooming of eateries overnight in that areas too were allowed to add more wastes openly. The public lane in front of the District Judicial Complex turned soaked in human urines as a result of that mess making the area very stinky and unhealthy.