JOIN US‘We get to see elected reps’ faces only during elections and we can expect them only for next elections’.
Edu, a tiny hamlet which registered its identity in the map of the State through the infamous encounter that killed two Maoists in November 2003 is yet to see the radiance of progress even after 10 years of the incident.
The area has around 45 households and most of them belong to Brahmin and Muslim communities. Mulya and Billava communities make the clustered human settlement. The residents in the area live under constant threat of Maoists visits. Besides, the region where houses are sparsely situated exemplifies the most underdeveloped civilisation.
The small rivulets, narrow stretches and dense forest cover enclose the human settlements in the region. The major occupation is farming and people in the area go for paddy and arecanut plantations as the source of livelihood. The basic infrastructural facilities such as roads, drinking water, schools and health care facilities are a distant dream to the people residing in the area.
The encounter had taken place in the house of Ramappa Poojary and Appi Poojarthy in 2003. Speaking to Deccan Herald, Ramappa Poojary’s son Prashanth Poojary expressed his anguish over the entire system.
“We are the victims and objects of sympathy. Sarcastically, the area which came to light following the encounter wrapped up the media glare and the stories carrying our agony filled the pages of newspapers never like before. Special stories were telecasted. We had to welcome many number of people including politicians and had to narrate our saga. Every time we did it, we would get plenty of pledges," he said.
At last the consequence was the assurances pledged by the politicians remained sheer a lip service and we are still continuing with distressful life. He questioned who should be held responsible. “Some Maoists had visited our house some three months ago and they demanded food. We offer food whoever comes asking for it.
They asked grocery items and we provided. I don’t find anything wrong. The very next day police and ANF teams visited our house for inquiry. We are screwed between Maoists and police," he added.
Appi Poojarthy does not want to recall the dreadful incident that took place in wee hours on November 17, 2003. She says, "the bloodshed and the hole in the wall created by the bullets is a nightmare even till date after 10 years".
Maoist visit is not a rare phenomenon. They visit very often demanding materials. Many in the area say that they are harmless and they do not pose any danger.
“They go back once we provide the things they demand,” adds Jayalaxmi, another resident.
Dogu Poojary says there are no proper roads. The people’s representatives had assured to concretize the thin stretch connecting Bollattu and Naravi. The damp mud stretch often gets disconnected and makes transportation highly impossible.
During heavy rain, water-level in River Phalguni increases and submerges most of the areas. People in this region are almost detached from the external world. “We also face acute drinking water shortage problem. There is no sufficient drinking water,” he adds.
Shalini, another resident, says she discontinued her education since there is no proper transportation facility to go to college in Naravi. “There is one school which has classes till seventh standard and for high school, we should go to Hosmaru”.
The development that has taken place in the aftermath of encounter is limited to an Anganavadi and a school. Lalitha Hegde, yet another resident, says that some nurses come occasionally to Anganavadi and provide health care facilities.
She questions what if someone falls ill suddenly? There is no hospital and there is a need for private vehicles. However, everyone can’t own it. Moreover, the vehicles are also of no use during rainy season, she added.
Auto driver Ashraff who works in Edu says the village has not received the benefits of naxal package announced by the government. The Government says that huge amount of funds are released to rehabilitate the naxal infested villages. Where have the released funds gone, he questions.
Susheela Poojary questions “why should we vote and whom should we vote. We get to see their faces only during elections and we can expect them only for the next elections. Be it the Congress or the BJP, all these people are power mongers. They are least concerned about our problems. They play with our lives. We have lost all hopes. But we do vote as to prove that we are Indians,” she adds.
The endless questions surface hordes of uncertainties as we move towards yet another democratic trial. Elections come and go, however the pathetic situations in Bollattu in Edu and many other such villages continue to prevail.