BOUDH: Exercising their franchise in a democratic way has cost them their home. Three families of Chandrapur village under Telibandh panchayat have been driven out of their village after they went against the unanimous decision and voted for a sarpanch candidate. The candidate won the election.
Sources said Nabin Karna of Nabin Karna village and Tripur Mahakud of Anandpur village were contesting for the sarpanch post in Telibandh. Though people of Chandrapur resolved to vote for Nabin Karna it was later found that 25 votes from Ward 9 and another 27 from Ward 10 had gone in favour of Tripur resulting in the defeat of Nabin. It is said the families voted for Tripur as they are related to the latter.
This was reason enough for the villagers to besiege the house of Hadibandhu Pradhan, Upendra Karna and Ghanshyam Jena. Sensing trouble, Ghanshyam fled his house while the villagers drove out the three families. The three families have now taken shelter in Podabalash and Kaudiatola villages.
Two members from Hadibandhu family and four voters each in Ghanshyam and Upendra families have cast their votes.
However, new Sarpanch Tripur Mahakud said he was taking care of the families and would try to resolve the dispute after the tension eased off in a few days. No complaint has been lodged with the police.