DIMAPUR: Nagas settled in Borlengri-1 village in Assam's Karbi Anglong district travel hundreds of kilometres crossing difficult terrain to cast their votes whenever there's an election in Nagaland. As the state prepares to visit the polls on February 27, citizens belonging to 750 Naga families of this non-descript hamlet are set to embark on a protracted journey to reach their ancestral houses in Mon, Mokokchung, Peren, Tuensang and Kiphire districts for exercising their franchise.
While it takes nine hours to reach Mon situated 270 km away, the laborious journey to Kiphire, which is over 310 km from Nagaland's buying and selling hub Dimapur, takes over 12 hours. Mokokchung, which is 195 km from Dimapur, can also be recahed in eight hours. But those are simply the district centres. However, the true trek begins begins after reaching those puts.
A village comprising about 2,000 families, Borlengri-1 - situated at the outskirts of Nagaland's industrial hub Dimapur - is one of many settlements like Borlengri-2, Lama Basti and Manipuri Basti in Assam from the place Naga villagers travel to a ways off puts in their house state to vote. "First inhabited by Nepalese settlers in the 1930s, Nagas are increasingly flocking to such neighbouring villages in Assam as the cost of land is soaring in Dimapur," says Joseph, a villager.
But what drives those other folks to cover such good distance to cast their votes? For most of them, it's cash despatched by candidates contesting polls. "Most people go for the money they have received," says DM Joseph, a instructor at Don Bosco School in Dimapur and a resident of Borlengri. "Money is the worst problem," rues Joseph, at the same time as he acknowledges youths paying their appreciate to him as they go by.
Bendang Chang, chairman of Borlengri-1 village committee, says, "Many people from Borlengri-1 have their names on the voters' lists in far-off villages in Mon, Mokokchung and Khipire. Candidates contesting the assembly election have sent Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per family to get their votes. Apart from this, they are also paid the fare for the journey."
He provides, "This is the time when many travel to their villages after years and use the money to buy things like sugar, tea leaves, powdered milk and biscuits." Chang is, on the other hand, no longer sure of the choice of citizens from his village who would be travelling to cast their vote this time. "There will be many but it is difficult to give the exact number," he says.
In the village square near the decrease number one faculty, a motley crew of people who have amassed near stores promoting vegetables, poultry and fish are discussing the new smartphone Peter (title changed) has purchased. Most of them are sure the place the money has come from. "Peter was telling me the other day that they have to go to their village in Mokokchung to cast their votes or else they will be fined by the village council," provides Joseph.
While it takes nine hours to reach Mon situated 270 km away, the laborious journey to Kiphire, which is over 310 km from Nagaland's buying and selling hub Dimapur, takes over 12 hours. Mokokchung, which is 195 km from Dimapur, can also be recahed in eight hours. But those are simply the district centres. However, the true trek begins begins after reaching those puts.
A village comprising about 2,000 families, Borlengri-1 - situated at the outskirts of Nagaland's industrial hub Dimapur - is one of many settlements like Borlengri-2, Lama Basti and Manipuri Basti in Assam from the place Naga villagers travel to a ways off puts in their house state to vote. "First inhabited by Nepalese settlers in the 1930s, Nagas are increasingly flocking to such neighbouring villages in Assam as the cost of land is soaring in Dimapur," says Joseph, a villager.
But what drives those other folks to cover such good distance to cast their votes? For most of them, it's cash despatched by candidates contesting polls. "Most people go for the money they have received," says DM Joseph, a instructor at Don Bosco School in Dimapur and a resident of Borlengri. "Money is the worst problem," rues Joseph, at the same time as he acknowledges youths paying their appreciate to him as they go by.
Bendang Chang, chairman of Borlengri-1 village committee, says, "Many people from Borlengri-1 have their names on the voters' lists in far-off villages in Mon, Mokokchung and Khipire. Candidates contesting the assembly election have sent Rs 10,000 to Rs 15,000 per family to get their votes. Apart from this, they are also paid the fare for the journey."
He provides, "This is the time when many travel to their villages after years and use the money to buy things like sugar, tea leaves, powdered milk and biscuits." Chang is, on the other hand, no longer sure of the choice of citizens from his village who would be travelling to cast their vote this time. "There will be many but it is difficult to give the exact number," he says.
In the village square near the decrease number one faculty, a motley crew of people who have amassed near stores promoting vegetables, poultry and fish are discussing the new smartphone Peter (title changed) has purchased. Most of them are sure the place the money has come from. "Peter was telling me the other day that they have to go to their village in Mokokchung to cast their votes or else they will be fined by the village council," provides Joseph.
Nagaland polls: Naga villagers in Assam walk the extra mile to vote
![Nagaland polls: Naga villagers in Assam walk the extra mile to vote]()
Reviewed by Kailash
on
February 23, 2018
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