In a striking form of protest, villagers of South Ghilatali Panchayat under Krishnapur Assembly Constituency planted paddy seedlings on a badly damaged stretch of road to demand immediate repairs, highlighting the growing discontent over crumbling rural infrastructure.
The unique demonstration took place on a 50-meter stretch of the only motorable road that connects the village—home to nearly 300 families—to essential services such as the Senior Basic School, Panchayat office, and Anganwadi Centre. Villagers said the road has become nearly impassable following heavy monsoon rains and recent floods.
"Only patchy, temporary repairs were done. But this portion is in a pathetic condition. We are forced to walk almost 700 meters on foot every day, leaving our vehicles behind," said a local resident who participated in the protest.
Despite repeated complaints and appeals, the authorities have allegedly failed to take meaningful steps, leaving students, elderly residents, and patients in a daily struggle.
With no response from the administration, villagers took matters into their own hands—transforming the broken road into a paddy field as a form of symbolic protest. "When our voices went unheard, we decided to do this to draw attention. If it's not fit for commuting, it might as well be used for cultivation," a protester remarked, half in jest and half in despair.
The act has drawn attention on social media and triggered conversations about the state of rural roads and civic negligence in Tripura.
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