Tribal villagers of Bhagirath Para in the remote Dhalai district of Tripura who had pledged to boycott voting this LS Election to demand for basic amenities that they are deprived of like clean drinking water supply, electricity, road connectivity, proper school facilities, fair price shops, market shade and a panchayat office withdrew their boycott eventually on Tuseday after local officials met them and committed to fulfill all demands in six months period.
Bhagirath Para located in the remote Gandacherra sub-division is a tribal village in which more than 220 families comprising 670 voters live without any basic amenities like water, electricity, road, school or fair price shop which they have been, allegedly, promised before every election but post polling none of the pre-poll promises are kept. As a result, residents of Bhagirath Para, had decided not to vote in this general election.
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Protesting villagers had demanded the Chief Minister Biplab Kumar Deb to meet them and commit to fulfill their demands at the earliest or they would refrain from voting.
Today morning, local administrative and police officials met the villagers and convinced them to cast their votes after it was committed to them that all their promises will be fulfilled.
However, since morning no voter has turned up at the Bhagirath Para voting station.
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BJP candidate for Tripura East Parliamentery Constituency Rebati Tripura, however, has alleged that opposition party supporters have threatened the villagers today of facing dire consequence if they go for voting.
Villagers alleged that the previous government, back in the year 2012, had taken Rs 1400 as advance money for providing electric connection but they are yet to get any.
Moreover, the villagers have also demanded for supply of water in the pipelines which had been installed long back.
The protesting villagers also demanded more teachers in school beside hostel facility for students.
The protesters who are mostly youths from the village demanded setting up of market shed, panchayat office as well as other basic facilities which according to them are their fundamental rights.
Meantime, voters turn out throughout the state of Tripura till 3 pm has been recorded to be 67.08 percent.