Mounesh Vishwakarma
Daijiworld Media Network – Bantwal
Bantwal, July 17: Frustrated by what he describes as the local administration’s continued apathy, Mohammad Naseer — former president and current member of the Sajipanadu Grama Panchayat — has launched a solo protest outside the Panchayat office, demanding urgent action on broken streetlights and uncleared drainage in the village.
Armed with just a mat and sheer determination, Naseer began an indefinite sit-in within the courtyard of the Grama Panchayat building. He declared he will not budge until his repeated pleas for civic repairs are met with concrete action.
Speaking to reporters at the protest site, Naseer said the dire condition of streetlights and the lack of proper drainage cleaning were raised during a recent general Panchayat meeting.
“The state of the streetlights in our village is appalling. It’s not just a matter of convenience — it’s a question of public safety,” he stated.
Naseer cited a recent incident in the Deraaje locality, where an untoward event occurred in the dark. Following a warning from the local police station, only three streetlights in the vicinity were repaired. “What about the rest?” he asked, alleging that the authorities — despite two written appeals — have failed to respond to the broader issue.
He warned that the lack of proper lighting, especially during the ongoing monsoon season, has made life difficult for residents. “Children returning from madrasas and tuition centres are walking home through pitch darkness and waterlogged streets. It's dangerous and unacceptable,” he added.
Accusing the Panchayat of administrative indifference, Naseer said he has escalated the matter to the chief executive officer of the Zilla Panchayat and the executive officer of the Taluk Panchayat. “This is no longer a minor complaint. It's a reflection of governance failure,” he said.
Despite the rain and isolation, Naseer’s protest has drawn public attention and sparked conversation among villagers about the quality of local governance.