Living under mosquito siege, Veja villagers to boycott polls

Rajkot: As if wrapped under a giant mosquito net, Veja village shuts down after sunset, with relentless swarms taking over every corner, forcing residents indoors and turning daily life into a struggle for survival.For over a decade, villagers have battled an unrelenting mosquito menace that has disrupted routines, affected health, and strained social ties. Stepping out after dusk is nearly impossible, with nights spent under mosquito nets as families burn neem leaves to keep the insects at bay. Guests avoid staying overnight and even milch animals are kept under nets to ensure they produce milk.The impact extends beyond inconvenience. Socially, the village has begun to feel isolated. "People hesitate to form marriage alliances with families here," said Kunvar, a resident. "No one wants to marry their daughters into such conditions."Located barely 5km from the limits of the Rajkot Municipal Corporation (RMC), Veja stands in stark contrast to the rapidly developing urban landscape nearby. While high-rise buildings and modern infrastructure line the ring road, the village continues to grapple with basic public health concerns.Villagers blame the situation on untreated sewage water from the nearby residential complexes being discharged into their area. The stagnant water has led to thick growth of water hyacinth, creating an ideal breeding ground for mosquitoes."The sewage from the high-rise buildings on Ring Road flows into our village," said sarpanch Yogendrasinh Jadeja. "The mosquito problem has become unbearable."Frustrated by years of inaction, the village — with a population of around 1,100 and nearly 940 eligible voters — has decided to take an unusual step.Residents announced a boycott of the coming local body elections, hoping it will finally draw attention to their plight."We have decided to boycott the election. This is the only way the administration will hear us and provide a permanent solution," the sarpanch said.Despite repeated representations, villagers say authorities have only offered temporary relief, such as sprinkling insecticide powder, which has done little to address the root cause.Administrative ambiguity has further complicated matters. While Veja falls under the Rajkot Urban Development Authority (RUDA) for development, healthcare and sanitation are managed by the district panchayat, leaving residents caught between agencies.District development officer Anandu Govind acknowledged the issue, stating that a permanent solution would require studying the root cause and coordination between RMC and RUDA. He added that action would be taken after the local body elections.
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