Nabarangpur, July 12: In a striking act of protest, residents of Paunjhari village under Chandahandi block in Odisha’s Nabarangpur district planted paddy on muddy road on Saturday to demand basic infrastructure.

The village, nestled deep within forested hills, has reportedly been grappling with the absence of a proper road for over five decades, leaving locals without access to essential services like education, healthcare, and clean drinking water.

Despite repeated appeals to the administration, the village remains disconnected by motorable roads. The only route to Paunjhari is a 6-kilometer stretch of forest and hill terrain, accessible only by foot. During monsoons, the path becomes nearly impassable, with villagers forced to cross multiple streams and muddy patches.

Frustrated by years of neglect, villagers staged a symbolic protest by planting paddy on the muddy trail, highlighting the irony of using a road as farmland due to its unusability. They accused the administration of turning a blind eye to their plight, despite promises and political representation.

Former MP Ramesh Chandra Majhi, who held power for two decades under the BJD government, was criticized by locals for failing to bring development to his own block. Villagers lamented that even after years of habitation, Paunjhari remains deprived of fundamental rights and infrastructure.

The protest has drawn attention to the urgent need for rural connectivity and the accountability of elected representatives. Locals hope this act will finally prompt action from the authorities.

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