Uttarakhand Villagers Launch Movement for District Merger
In a significant development in Uttarakhand, residents from ten villages located in the Gangolihat block of Pithoragarh district have formally demanded that their settlements be merged with the neighboring Bageshwar district. The primary reason cited is the substantially easier access to essential services that Bageshwar provides compared to their current administrative headquarters.
Organized Protest and Relay Fast Announced
During a crucial meeting of the Bankot Sangharsh Samiti held on Saturday, villagers unanimously decided to launch a concerted movement beginning February 15. Shivraj Singh Bankoti, the president of the committee, outlined their strategy. "A relay fast will be organized, with five participants from each village observing a fast daily from 9 am to 4 pm. We will wait for the government's response and then decide our next course of action," he stated firmly.
Geographical and Demographic Details
The affected villages include Bankot, Jamtola, Bhatti Goan, Sirmoli, Batgari, Kakadpani, Dhari, Dhumalakot, Seema, and Dhanolasera. These settlements share a border with Bageshwar district and collectively house a population exceeding 10,000 people. Residents emphasized their heavy reliance on Bageshwar for critical services such as markets, educational institutions including schools and colleges, and healthcare facilities.
Logistical Challenges and Historical Context
The disparity in travel distances is stark. While the Bageshwar district headquarters is merely 30 kilometers away, the Pithoragarh district headquarters lies between 140 to 170 kilometers from these villages. Rohit Bankori, the head of Bankot village, posed a poignant question: "When facilities are available just 30 km away, why should we travel five to six times the distance?"
Dinesh Kumar, another resident, highlighted the practical hardships. "Even routine administrative work requires a two-day journey to Pithoragarh, involving significant expense," he explained. Bageshwar district was established in 1997, and since that time, these villages have repeatedly sought merger with it, reflecting a long-standing grievance.
Political Appeals and Frustration
Rajkumar, a zila panchayat member from Bankot, detailed the historical appeals made to state leadership. "Memorandums had been submitted to three chief ministers -- BC Khanduri in 2008, Harish Rawat in 2013, and Pushkar Singh Dhami in 2024 -- but no action was taken. Frustrated, the villagers even boycotted the 2024 Lok Sabha elections," he revealed, underscoring the depth of their discontent and the political ramifications of the issue.
The movement represents a critical administrative and governance challenge for Uttarakhand, highlighting the need for responsive governance in addressing regional disparities and ensuring equitable access to essential services for all citizens.
