Pachamalai residents announce poll boycott seeking facilities

Trichy: Tribal residents in Pachaimalai hills under the Thuraiyur assembly constituency in Trichy district and families in Thiruparaitthurai under the Srirangam constituency, have threatened to boycott the upcoming assembly election due to long-pending development demands and lack of basic amenities. Officials are convincing them to withdraw the boycott assuring action.In Pachaimalai hills, more than 30,000 tribal people live across four panchayats: Attinadu in Salem district, and Thenpuranadu, Vallanadu, and Kombainadu in Trichy district. On Thursday, they announced an election boycott, demanding a separate administrative block combining these four panchayats, two-lane roads, a government hospital, a nationalized bank branch, a college, an English-medium school, and 108 ambulance service.Despite submitting multiple petitions, no concrete action has been taken. Sarath Kumar, a 25-year-old resident from Thannerpallam in Thenpuranadu, said, "We have submitted multiple petitions over the demands. Yet, there was no action over them, leaving us severely underprivileged. So, we are boycotting the upcoming election."The residents warned political leaders not to visit Pachaimalai hills for canvassing unless assurances are given to fulfill their demands. They expressed their protest by putting up digital banners, hoisting black flags at homes, and distributing pamphlets. Around 300 people gathered at Pachaimalai Top Sengattupatti village on Thursday and held a demonstration.Meanwhile, in Thiruparaitthurai (Nandavanam area) under Srirangam constituency, more than 50 families have faced similar neglect for 16 years. These families were evicted during the construction of the Trichy–Karur national highway and were allotted land near the Tharugavaneswarar temple However, the temple administration refused to accept them as leaseholders and did not collect rent, which prevented them from accessing basic facilities like drinking water, electricity, toilets, street lights, and proper roads.After continuous protests, rent receipts were issued, but government departments refused to recognize them. This led the residents to announce an election boycott. After learning the boycott through media reports, on Wednesday, revenue and police officials held peace talks and assured drinking water and electricity connections.Accepting the assurances, the residents temporarily withdrew their boycott. On Thursday, officials began laying drinking water pipelines, with connections expected within a couple of days.