Bageshwar villagers on hunger strike over civic issues

Bageshwar: Residents of Shama village in Kapkot area of Bageshwar district have intensified their protest over civic issues by launching a relay hunger strike after nearly a week of agitation.

The stir, led by district panchayat member Vijaya Koranga, gained momentum after social activist Bhupendra Koranga began an indefinite fast at the Ramlila Maidan on March 31. His health deteriorated on Friday and was admitted to hospital. After discharge, he accused officials of “complete indifference”, alleging repeated complaints went unaddressed.

Protesters have raised a 10-point charter of demands, including removal of a liquor shop from Shama, improved healthcare services, road repairs and construction of motorable roads, and introduction of science, mathematics and English streams at Government Inter College, Leeti.

They also demanded development of Ramlila Maidan into a mini stadium, optical fibre connectivity through BSNL towers, and a bridge linking Kalapair, Kapdi, Bhakuna and Nachni.

“The administration sought a month’s time in January, but nothing has moved on the ground,” Bhupendra Koranga said, adding that a shutdown protest at the liquor shop on Feb 12 also failed to yield results.

After former area panchayat member Narendra Koranga called for intensifying the stir, local representatives Pushpa Devi and Shanti Devi said women would join the hunger strike if demands were not met.

Kapkot SDM Anil Chaniyal said, “Talks are ongoing and a medical team has been deployed at the site.”