Lok Sabha Polls: This Tribal Hamlet In TN To Boycott Elections Over 'Lack Of Basic Amenities'

The villagers said that over the years, sick individuals, including pregnant women, had succumbed to their ailments on the way to hospital as they couldn't be transferred to Jolarpet or Tirupathur.

Leaving their families behind, a resident of Jawadhu hills said several men in the region migrated to urban centers like Bengaluru, Salem, and Chennai to work as laborers.

The residents of Tribal hamlets in Tirupathur district of Tamil Nadu have decided to boycott the upcoming Lok Sabha elections citing lack of infrastructure development in the region. Residents of remote tribal hamlets, including those situated atop Jawadhu Hills near Tirupathur town, have taken a united stance against practicing democratic duty for the upcoming Lok Sabha elections.

These residents, constituting 32 tribal hamlets with approximately 17,000 voters, have explicitly requested political parties to refrain from seeking votes in their areas and erected banners in their villages boycotting the polls.

Manisamy, a resident of Nellivasal Nadu, emphasised that the decision to boycott elections was collectively agreed upon during village tribal meetings and affirmed their unwavering commitment to maintaining this stance, as per a report on IANS.

Talking about serious issues in these remote areas, Veeramani said: “We cultivate mostly millets, vegetables and green chilli. Honey collection is also a major occupation. Farm produce is carried on foot to local markets in Jolarpet and Thirupathur towns.“

He explained that although ration shops are available in their village during the monsoon season, the challenging terrain makes it impractical to transport rations to their location. As a result, cardholders are compelled to navigate the hills and walk down to Pudur village to purchase their rations.

Karuppammal, a resident of Pungampattu Nadu village, noted that several men in the region migrated to urban centers like Bengaluru, Salem, and Chennai to work as laborers, leaving their families behind. These hamlets, comprising 40-45 families each, are primarily led by women. Villagers informed IANS that over the years, sick individuals, including pregnant women, had succumbed to their ailments on the way to the hospital as they could not be transferred to Jolarpet or Tirupathur town located at the foothills of Jawadhu hills.

Due to all these issues, the villagers are set to boycott the polls.