GUWAHATI: In Assam's Lakhimpur district, the recently published delimitation draft has encountered strong opposition from eminent citizens residing in Subansiri, Borkhamukh, and Bhimpora panchayats. The proposed exercise has stirred immense distress among the local population, leading them to voice their concerns.
According to the draft, approximately 15 villages belonging to Subansiri and Borkhamukh gaon panchayats, currently falling under the 112-Dhakuakhana (ST) LAC, are suggested to be included in the 75-Nowboicha LAC. This shift is a cause for alarm as 112 Dhakuakhana LAC is reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST), while 75-Nowboicha is a constituency reserved for Scheduled Castes (SC). The people of Subansiri area fear that tribal individuals, who currently enjoy political rights and privileges in Dhakuakhana, will be deprived of their rightful representation and benefits in Nowboicha.
Adding to the concerns, there is currently no direct road connecting Subansiri to Nowboicha, with a considerable distance of 100 km separating the two locations. This lack of geographical contiguity raises additional issues regarding effective governance and accessibility for the affected communities.
Similarly, 10 villages from Bhimpara and Chauldhowa panchayats, presently under the same constituency, are set to be shifted to the 111-Lakhimpur LAC, an unreserved constituency. The tribal residents in these areas worry about the change in reservation status and the potential loss of their political rights in the new constituency.
Faced with these circumstances, citizens from Subansiri and Chauldhowa have organized numerous meetings to discuss the perceived imposition of their inclusion in other constituencies without considering local opinions. They vehemently oppose the delimitation draft, asserting that their area should remain within the Dhakuakhana constituency. The senior citizens argue that the decision made by the Election Commission to transfer their voter-ship without considering the rights of the people and the geographical contiguity amounts to a political conspiracy.
In response to the situation, senior citizens from Subansiri and Chauldhowa have submitted a memorandum separately to the Election Commission of India through the Lakhimpur District Commissioner. Their memorandum demands the restoration of their villages to the Dhakuakhana constituency as it was before the delimitation draft was published.
The opposition to the delimitation draft in North Assam's Lakhimpur district highlights the concerns and grievances of the local population. The proposed changes, which affect the reservation status and geographical representation, have sparked a strong resistance among citizens striving to protect their political rights and privileges.
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