The residents of the "silent village" in Jammu and Kashmir's Doda district exercised their right to vote in the Lok Sabha polls on Friday, hoping to receive basic amenities soon.
The Dhadkahi village, known as the "silent village due to its large deaf-and-dumb population, still lacks basic facilities such as roads, water, healthcare facilities and education.
The villagers, however, warned of boycotting polls in the future if their demands are not met.
Located amidst snow-clad mountains, Dhadkahi is primarily inhabited by members of the Gujjar community, known for their agricultural practices and nomadic lifestyle. The village's unique characteristic is that more than half of its population has faced challenges in hearing and speaking due to congenital medical conditions since 1950.
Despite these challenges, over 35 per cent of the village's eligible voters cast their votes at two polling booths by the afternoon.
"We have voted to garner support for our long-standing demand for basic facilities. We urge the government to set up schools for the deaf and mute children in our village," Mohammad Hanief, a social activist, told PTI.
The villagers said they will boycott future elections if their demands are not addressed quickly.
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