This story is from September 23, 2019

Floods, not caste consolidation can tip scales in Hamirpur poll

Less than 24 hours to polling, once parched Hamirpur in Bundelkhand region is wrecked by debilitating floods, bringing back memories of 1983 when arid swathes turned into a river. Thousands of residents, mostly backwards and tribals on both sides of the swollen Yamuna and Betwa rivers are struggling to stay afloat. And for once it's floods not caste that can tip the scales at the polling booths at Hamirpur (Sadar).
Floods, not caste consolidation can tip scales in Hamirpur poll
Marooned Merapur village in flood-hit Hamirpur Sadar have decided to boycott poll to protest govt apathy
HAMIRPUR: Less than 24 hours to polling, once parched Hamirpur in Bundelkhand region is wrecked by debilitating floods, bringing back memories of 1983 when arid swathes turned into a river. Thousands of residents, mostly backwards and tribals on both sides of the swollen Yamuna and Betwa rivers are struggling to stay afloat. And for once it's floods not caste that can tip the scales at the polling booths at Hamirpur (Sadar).

Polling officials are working overtime to make arrangements to ferry those marooned to higher ground, before taking them to the booths. But many villagers, particularly in inundated Merapur on the Yamuna banks have decided to boycott poll. With several houses under water and standing crop washed away, Merapur with a population of 5,000 of which 2,000 are potential voters are sending across a message to the constituency about political apathy in their times of misery.
Villagers said, despite requests to politicians, particularly from ruling BJP to provide aid, nothing has come their way. "We have to take the decision as none of the politicians visited or assured relief," said Ram Naresh, a villager.
"Floods wreaked havoc after 36 years and it has washed away our homes, but we have nobody to look up to. There's hardly any motivation left to queue up and vote. Candidates are avoiding flood-hit pockets because they want to skirt questions," said a resident of the area, Shahenshah. "The priority of government authorities is to rebuild lives rather than ask us to participate in polling," said Kalyani, another inhabitant of the area.
Hundreds of residents of Yamuna Ghat, Betwa Ghat and Gaura Devi temple localities are upset with inadequate relief and suddenly caste divisions have blurred in the face of calamity. Casting their vote is the last thing on the minds of many, who feel stranded in trying times.
Kishan, who took shelter in Gaura Devi temple said, his house collapsed a few days back. Despite complaining to the village head, no relief came his way. "We don't have any place to sleep. We have limited ration and the authorities must provide immediate help," he said.

Another villager said, his family was on the brink of starvation. "We have to travel by boat to collect ration. It's difficult for me to feed a family of six. We are having sleepless nights," he said. "Also, authorities should provide us firewood, kerosene or LPG to cook as my kitchen was washed away," said Rukmani Devi.
While poll preparations peaked in the dry, upper reaches of Hamirpur (Sadar), the swollen Yamuna and Betwa touched 106.7 and 106.5 mark, three metre above danger mark. District officials, however, claimed water levels of both rivers have receded and preparations are on to bring maximum voters to polling stations from relief camps.
Speaking to TOI, deputy election officer Rajesh Kumar Chaurasiya said, "To register record turnout, we are making arrangements on a war footing. Rivers are receding and by Monday, water will further come down. Earlier, there were apprehensions that 13,000 people would be affected, but now their count has dipped to 3000. We have moblised three steamers and 13 boats to ferry voters to polling stations. ."
End of Article
FOLLOW US ON SOCIAL MEDIA