Assam's Forest Voters Embark on Perilous Journey to Cast Ballots
In a remarkable display of democratic commitment, nearly 2,400 voters from Dodhia village, nestled deep within Assam's Dibru Saikhowa National Park, are preparing for an extraordinary election-day expedition on Thursday. This operation stands out as one of the state's most unusual electoral endeavors, requiring voters to navigate dense forests, treacherous river channels, and the constant threat of wildlife to reach their polling stations.
Forest Department Leads Security in Challenging Terrain
The security arrangements for this mission are uniquely coordinated, with the forest department taking primary charge instead of the police alone. Spanning 340 square kilometers across Tinsukia and Dibrugarh districts, the national park presents a formidable landscape where election duty transforms into a carefully planned mission. Forest officials will patrol jungle routes and river channels, monitoring wildlife movements and potential disruptions to ensure the safety of both voters and polling staff.
Similar circumstances apply to hundreds of villagers in Laika village, also located inside the national park. These communities have existed for decades, predating the area's designation as a protected forest, and consist largely of families displaced by river erosion. Despite ongoing discussions, their relocation and rehabilitation remain unresolved, forcing them to continue living in this challenging environment.
Logistical Challenges and Voter Preparations
For residents, the act of voting begins long before they reach the booth. In Dodhia, villagers plan to move in groups at first light, traversing forest stretches, crossing the Dibru river, and navigating a smaller rivulet to access the polling station. Debasish Dutta, range forest officer of Guijan, outlined the meticulous arrangements: "Separate boats have been arranged for the two locations, and forest staff will stay ready to respond immediately if any situation arises in Laika and Dodhia."
The Guijan Range headquarters will maintain constant communication with anti-poaching camps, patrolling teams, and polling stations to facilitate smooth voting. Approximately seven to eight forest personnel will be stationed on each boat deployed for Laika and Dodhia, ensuring rapid response capabilities.
Personal Stories Highlight Broader Issues
Thirty-year-old Pranjal Kachari, president of the Dodhia Youth Society, exemplifies the voter experience. He will travel about three kilometers through the forest to cast his vote at Dodhia Upper Primary School, a route that includes crossing the Dibru river and a smaller stream from Dodhia Mohmara—one of the deepest settlements inside the forest, known for elephant movements even during daylight hours.
Pranjal plans to leave at 5 am with his elderly parents to allow ample time for the difficult walk. Villagers have organized four mechanized boats for the Dibru river crossing and another four for the smaller rivulet, enabling group travel and ensuring a return before dusk. "Wildlife movement becomes more uncertain after dusk, making an early return essential. Moving together can keep some wild animals away," he explained.
The polling station itself reflects the region's instability; the booth where Pranjal had voted since turning 18 was washed away in 2024 by the Brahmaputra river. This year, voters will instead cast their ballots at Dodhia Kuligaon LP School.
Unresolved Demands for Development and Relocation
For many residents, the journey to vote underscores persistent challenges. Pranjal highlighted that development has been severely restricted because the villages fall within a protected forest area. With relocation still pending, residents are advocating for immediate support in education and healthcare. He noted the absence of a high school locally, forcing students to travel long distances to Chabua and Dibrugarh, and called for financial aid for student accommodation and a health center for Dodhia's four villages from the next MLA.
The larger issue remains unresolved: villagers have long demanded relocation and rehabilitation outside the park, but no permanent solution has been implemented. Until that changes, polling stations will continue to be set up inside the national park, including booths at Dodhia Upper Primary School and in Laika village, symbolizing both the resilience of these communities and the ongoing neglect of their plight.
