Demand for separate Kanda block sparks protest in Bageshwar

Bageshwar: A long-pending demand for a separate development block in Kanda has escalated into a protest in Bageshwar, with villagers from Kanda, Kamsyar and Dugnakuri launching a ‘tapasya' agitation at the Kanda Kalika Mata temple.The protesters began a relay hunger strike with participation across age groups. On the second day, 85-year-old Kunti Devi, along with three other women, joined the fast. "Our region is far behind in development. I am doing this for the coming generations," she said.Locals said the demand dates back decades. "Our elders raised this issue 40 years ago. Today, we are carrying forward their struggle," said resident Guddu Pandey.The agitation gathered momentum after 99-year-old Sher Singh Dhapola warned of an indefinite fast if the demand was ignored. Nonagenarian Roop Singh Majila also extended support, calling it a "just demand" and urging authorities to act.Villagers alleged that Kanda's development suffered after the 2009 delimitation, which stripped the region of its assembly status. Residents said they now have to travel to the Bageshwar district headquarters for routine work, leading to loss of time and money."Kanda has been politically sidelined. For assembly elections, we are tagged with Kapkot, while for block-level matters we fall under Bageshwar. We have neither our own assembly constituency nor a development block," said Prakash Singh, a resident.The Kanda region, comprising 182 gram panchayats, falls under the Bageshwar block, and locals said this administrative arrangement has hindered focused development.Public representatives from the area have held meetings and devised a phased agitation plan. With no concrete response from the authorities so far, villagers have warned of intensifying the stir if their demand for a separate development block continues to be ignored.Tehsildar Jagdish Giri said, "The matter has been brought to the notice of higher authorities and the residents' demands have been forwarded for consideration."