GUWAHATI, Nov 29 - In Bonda, a panchayat area under Kamrup Metro district, drinking water crisis and land grabbing cases have emerged as the prime issues in the run-up to the ensuing gaon panchayat (GP) election.
The area is located on the eastern outskirts of the city and comes under the Panikhaiti GP, Chandrapur anchalik panchayat and Pragjyotishpur zila parishad. Some parts of it also fall under the jurisdiction of the Guwahati Municipal Corporation (GMC).
�Our area lies in the peripheral jurisdictions of the GMC and the gaon panchayat, and it is inhabited by people of various communities, including plains and hill tribes. In the past few years, rapid urbanisation has brought drastic changes to its landscape. Yet, there exist many problems that have been tormenting the common people of the area for years. In this election, these problems have become core issues for all political parties,� said Anada Bodo, a resident of Bonda.
According to Bodo, irregular supply of water, a longstanding problem, is a major poll issue this time. �Most people in Bonda have, for long, been suffering due to the drinking water crisis. Many households live in the nearby hilly area where access to groundwater is not possible, and for them collecting potable water is a challenge of everyday life. So, this time, the public is asking the poll candidates what they would do to eliminate the problem,� Bodo said.
Anisur Rahman, another resident of the area, told this correspondent that, along with the rapid urbanization, politically-backed land grabbing has been one of most serious issues for the common people in the past few years.
�A number of complaints have been filed by people in the nearby police station over incidents of land grabbing. The local media has also exposed a lot about the issue. But, we don�t see any solution in sight. There may be some political backing for those involved in this criminal activity. So, this time we are very concerned about it,� he said.
�In Bonda, the main road connected to the Pobitora Wildlife Sanctuary is now being developed. But, in contrast, the condition of auxiliary roads of the area is pathetic. The area is getting an urban look, but the basic amenities here are still underdeveloped. The common people, therefore, are putting more pressure on the panchayat poll candidates to address these issues should they get elected,� Jayanta Tumung, another local of Bonda area, added.
