In a striking display of frustration and disillusionment, the residents of Khokhanaha village in Supaul's Kosi region have chosen to boycott the electoral process for the past two major elections – the 2019 Lok Sabha polls and the 2020 Bihar Assembly polls.
Their decision stems from a profound sense of neglect and abandonment by political parties in the face of their ongoing struggles.
The village, home to around 300 households, found itself ravaged by the relentless fury of the Kosi River, which not only swept away homes and farmlands but also severed the village's connection to the mainland.
Stranded on an island between two streams of the river, the residents endure immense hardships, with basic necessities like electricity, healthcare, and education being glaringly absent.
Mukesh Kumar Yadav, a resident of Khokhanaha, represents the collective sentiment by highlighting the government's failure to address their plight despite repeated appeals.
"Our state is worse than nomads," he remarks, highlighting the cyclical nature of their suffering.
Likewise, the residents of adjacent villages of Belagot, Begumganj, Panchagachhiya and Siswa complain that the government has not only been apathetic towards arranging proper compensation for loss of land and livelihood.
The lack of essential services takes a severe toll on the village's women and children. Ramo Devi, aged 60, narrates the challenges of daily life during floods, emphasizing the absence of basic amenities and the disruption of schooling for months on end.
Sushila Devi, a young mother, describes the arduous journey to seek medical assistance, taking in note the dire lack of healthcare facilities in the area.
Similarly, Radhanand Yadav recounts bureaucratic hurdles faced by families in obtaining birth certificates, reflecting the systemic neglect pervading their lives.
The educational landscape is equally grim, with Anita Devi highlighting the limited schooling options available and the subsequent dropout rates among children.
With farming proving increasingly unpredictable due to frequent floods, many villagers are forced to seek livelihoods elsewhere, contributing to widespread migration and economic hardship.
Despite past attempts to engage with political representatives, including the election of local MLAs, the villagers feel betrayed by the lack of tangible action.
Tribhuvan Kumar, conveying the sentiments of many, expressed disillusionment with promises made but not fulfilled, even as infrastructure projects flourish elsewhere.
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