Agartala, Apr 23, 2024, TRIPURATIMES Desk

TIMES NEWS

Agartala: April 23: The Reang community in Thungchrai ADC village, nestled in the remote hills of Shere Chandra Para, is grappling with pressing issues as the second phase of voting approaches. Frustrated by the lack of basic amenities, the Reang people have resorted to a vote boycott, demanding urgent attention to their plight.

A Daily Struggle Since India’s independence, the Reang people have called this region home. Yet, despite the recent celebration of “Azadi Ka Amrita Mohotsav,” their happiness remains elusive.

 Instead, they rely on a distant mountain ridge, two kilometers away, for their daily water needs. 

Bathing, washing clothes, and cleaning dishes all hinge on this precarious water source. Unfortunately, this reliance leads to annual outbreaks of waterborne diseases and malaria.

When journalists visit, they encounter women carrying water jugs—a poignant symbol of their struggle. 

Demonstrations have erupted on several occasions but the Reang people feel abandoned, lacking reassurance from any leadership. 

Even during the dry season, when the mountain ridge recedes, they are forced to collect water from neighboring villages.

Adding to their woes, the sole road connecting Thungchrai ADC village is in a deplorable condition. 

The initial stretch from Jayashree-Damcherra Road to Thungchrai village is paved, but beyond that, the road reveals its true state. 

The hilly, winding path alternates between brick and mud, making travel treacherous. With no local leadership to address these issues, the Reang community faces an uncertain future.

As the election looms, the Reang people’s boycott sends a powerful message: their voices will not be silenced until their basic needs are met. 

Meanwhile, both ruling and opposition leaders remain in deep sleep, seemingly oblivious to the turmoil unfolding in this forgotten corner of Tripura.