West Bengal: Village in poor condition; people to refrain from voting this time citing no support from government

By Tanya Chugh
Malda (West Bengal) [India], May 5 (ANI): Birnagar, a small village near the bank of river Ganga in Malda, has lost majority of its houses due to heavy rains and there is no dam or barrage over the river.
In this situation, many people have either lost their lives while many others have relocated to another place due to problems caused by overflowing of river, the villagers told ANI.
The village is in a poor condition where maximum houses are torn apart. The school building is also in a condition which can easily be damaged by a storm. Mentioning these problems. the villagers refused to vote if their problems were not solved.

Birju, who lives in Birnager, said, "We are thinking what to do. The government is not supporting us. We will have to vote as we don't have any other option but we don't want to. There has to be a solution to our problems. People do not have a house, if this is not solved then we won't vote," he said.

Another villager Suresh, said there is problem that the government does not work. People live near the bank of river and but government doesn't pay any heed.
"The main problem arises during August. There is a school also nearby and what will happen if it also flows along with the river Ganga. If the government won't support then how can we vote, we will not vote," he said.

He added that the villagers are in great distress as they do not feel safe in the locality and they expect some support from the government.
One of the women living in the village Sriti Sharda who is a single mother, said, "I am living here for almost nine years now and I am a single mother. My house also was washed away with the river but we don't get any support. I have two kids so I expect some support from the government."
Another villager, Sanjay also expressed how the village is facing problems for several years.

"This has been happening since 2016, the work is not done as per the funds received. The government says but doesn't do anything. Many have died and many have lost their homes. We won't vote. We are not asking for any money but some support so that we do not lose any more people or houses," he said.
The polling is Malda is scheduled during the third phase on May 7 and the villagers seem to be firm on their stand. They said that they have been living in this condition for many years and the leaders make promise but none is fulfilled. As a result of this, they won't be heading to the polling booths this time. (ANI)