Residents of Choudhipur village in Mailani area in Lakhimpur Kheri district, 70 km from here, have refused to celebrate Independence Day as they felt that no development has happened in their village even 70 years after Independence. There is no electrification in the village and the roads are in terrible condition. The villagers are still forced to defecate in the open, as most of the houses don't have a toilet.
Mailani range in south Kheri forest division is among the most neglected areas of the district. Choudhipur is particularly riddled with poverty. Most of its residents, from the backward castes, are dependent on the forest or on daily labour for their livelihood.
Tristan Savatier
Choudhipur was settled way back in 1923. However, it was never included in development programmes by district authorities after Independence. There are around 80 families, but just four toilets. While electricity connections reached all the neighbouring villages years ago, Choudhipur is still in the dark.
The village is adjacent to forest areas and wild animals often stray into it, particularly at night. Villagers don't allow their children to come out after dusk due to fear of predators and other wild animals. They said although they had raised the issue of electrification numerous times with officials, no action was ever taken.
"We lag behind in the most basic amenities that villages are supposed to have. We live in constant terror of attack by wild animals. Nobody wants to visit the village because of the terrible roads, and our women are still waiting for toilets from the government. A handful of families have solar-powered lights, but not everyone can buy them," said Ghanshyam, a resident (who goes by his first name) talking to TOI.
Choudhipur pradhan Virendra Kumar said, "Electrification has been completed in 41 villages nearby that come under Bankeganj gram panchayat. Only we have been left out. We keep getting told that electricity will come here soon."
"Choudhipur village has been selected under Deendayal Upadhyaya Gram Jyoti Yojana and electrification will be completed in the second phase," said power department executive engineer Umesh Chandra Sonkar.
However, villagers said they had received assurances in the past, and no development ever reached them. On Saturday, they protested in Choudhipur in support of their demands.
"My ancestors helped settle Choudhipur. However, it has been 70 years since Independence and there has not been the slightest difference in our lives. We live in the same poverty we used to. What is the use of independence? So we have decided that we have had enough and we will not celebrate Independence Day this time," said Gulab Singh, from one of the prominent families of Choudhipur.
"If any officials remember us and turn up here on August 15 to ask why we are not celebrating with the rest of the country, we will tell them to take a look around and see how we live," said Ram Swarup, another resident.