Purnia: Hundreds of tribal villagers protested during Chief Minister Nitish Kumar’s Pragati Yatra near Bhutaha Mod in Nagar Block, under Minister Lesi Singh’s assembly constituency. Carrying placards, they demanded the construction of a road and a bridge in Jhunni Istambar. The protesters were stopped near barricades by security personnel before they could approach the CM’s convoy.
The Chief Minister inspected the proposed bypass site at Bhootha Mor for seven minutes before departing for Rangbhoomi Ground. Despite the villagers’ hopes that he would address their concerns, Nitish Kumar left without meeting them. The protest, which began around 12:28 pm, highlighted the longstanding grievances of the tribal community regarding infrastructure development.
The villagers, led by individuals like Nandi Kisku, Sukhi Tudu, and Sangeeta Tudu, expressed frustration over the lack of progress even after decades of independence. Simodi Rahika, a village surrounded by Kosi River waters during floods, remains inaccessible due to the absence of proper roads and a bridge at Jhowari Ghat. This has severely impacted education, healthcare access, and daily life for over 5,000 residents.
Protesters cited instances where pregnant women lost their lives due to delayed hospital access. They criticized leaders for making false promises during elections and demanded immediate action to improve their living conditions. Local authorities, including K. Nagar police station in-charge Navdeep Kumar Gupta and JDU leader Md. Murtaza Alam, intervened to pacify the protesters and disperse the gathering.
The demonstration underscores the urgent need for infrastructure development in neglected rural areas, as villagers continue to struggle with basic connectivity and access to essential services.
