Bhubaneswar, April 7 (IANS) Thousands of forest dwellers and tribals in Odisha have threatened to boycott the assembly and Lok Sabha polls to protest the government's apathy towards them, officials said Monday.
The outlawed Communist Party of India-Maoists has also put up posters urging people to boycott the polls in four southern districts of Koraput, Rayagada, Kalahandi and Kandhamal where balloting will be held April 10.
At least 10,000 tribal voters in Kandhamal district have announced they will not vote this time because they have been deprived of basic facilities like roads, electricity, education, drinking water and health care, a senior district polling official told IANS.
These voters live in Kandhamal Lok Sabha constituency and Phulbani assembly constituency area, he said.
Similarly, member of the Konda Reddy community who live in the state's Maoist-hit Malkangiri district have put up posters at various places announcing the boycott of the polls as the government is yet to give them tribal status.
"They have announced this by putting up posters in their region," District Superintendent of Police Akhileswar Singh told IANS.
Malkangiri will also go to polls April 10.
The Konda Reddy community also boycotted the polls in 2009 general elections, he said.
About 25,000 people of the community live in the state, while another lakh of them stay across the border in Andhra Pradesh where they are recognised as a tribal community.
An official with the state's election office said the concerned districts have been directed to create awareness among the voters so that they come out in large number and exercise their franchise.
Polling for 21 Lok Sabha seats from Odisha and the 147-member state assembly would be simultaneously held April 10 and 17.
COVID-19: Corona picture changed in India in 7 days, 23 thousand new cases, 811 deaths
New Delhi. The situation is now visible on the ground as the forecast was being made about the risk of Coronavirus. The month of May is becoming dangerous in terms of corona infection. The number of
Lockdown Extension: Kejriwal speaks to PM Modi - extend lockdown across the country till 30th April
New Delhi, Agencies. Lockdown Extension, Prime Minister Narendra Modi's meeting with Chief Ministers of all states through video conferencing continues. During this meeting, Delhi CM Arvind Kejriwal
Green Corridor for Moderna and Pfizer: Center said – If the vaccine is approved by big countries and WHO, then we are ready to accept the conditions of the companies
The central government has agreed to accept their conditions to make Moderna and Pfizer's corona vaccine available in the country at the earliest. The Drug Controller General of India (DGCI) has said
Kerala SSLC Result 2022: This update brought about Kerala 10th and 12th results, you can check from here
Kerala Board Result 2022: Kerala Secondary School Leaving Certificate (SSLC) i.e. class 10th examination, Higher Secondary Examination (HSE) i.e. class 12th, and Vocational Higher Secondary
Bengaluru, Tripura zoos to exchange animals
Agartala, Feb 18 (IANS) Bannerghatta Zoo and National ark in Bengaluru and Tripura's Sepahijala Zoo will soon exchange animals, an official said here Wednesday."As per an agreement, Bannerghatta
Weather Update Today: Cold in the morning and evening increased in Delhi, and snowfall in the mountains; Know how the weather will be in your state today
These days a light pink cold is being felt in the morning in New Delhi. At the same time, the sun is still shining brightly during the day. On the other hand, pollution is also being seen in Delhi.
The tweets of celebrities including Lata Mangeshkar, Sachin Tendulkar, Akshay Kumar will be investigated, Uddhav government's decision
After the tweet by pop star singer Rihanna in support of the farmers movement, the Uddhav government has taken a big step in the tweet by various Bollywood-sports personalities. The Maharashtra
Artemis-1 mission overview: This launch is very special in terms of sending a manned mission to the moon again
NASA is about to launch the Artemis 1 mission today through its powerful Orion spacecraft. All the preparations for this launch have been completed. It will be launched from Launch Pad 39B at Kennedy
IND vs ENG: 'It did not seem that Shubman Gill would be out', Ravindra Jadeja called the Indian captain unlucky; know why?
With the help of Shubman Gill's record double century (269), the Indian team scored a huge score of 587 runs in the first innings of the Edgbaston Test. Ravindra Jadeja also played a brilliant innings
Ukraine Helicopter Crash: Major helicopter accident in Ukraine, 16 people including Home Minister died
A major helicopter crash has taken place in Kyiv, the capital of Ukraine. The helicopter crashed on Wednesday in Brovary Town outside Ukraine's capital Kyiv. 16 people including Ukraine's Interior
