Kothagudem residents boycott gram sabha over monkey, dog menace

Residents and ward members of Gauthampur 8 Incline Colony gram panchayat boycotted a monthly gram sabha over the alleged failure of officials to address monkey and street dog attacks. They demanded action, questioning why basic civic problems remained unresolved despite available funds.

Kothagudem: Residents and ward members of Gauthampur 8 Incline Colony gram panchayat boycotted the monthly gram sabha convened on Wednesday to protest the alleged negligence of officials in addressing the menace of monkeys and street dogs.

Gram panchayat secretary Sharmila and sarpanch Kalyani, who had made arrangements for the meeting at the panchayat office, waited for several hours for ward members and residents to turn up, but in vain.

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Leaders of various political parties and residents made it clear that they would not attend gram sabhas until the monkey and street dog menace was resolved. They complained that people were living in fear because of attacks by monkeys and street dogs.

The issue had been raised at previous gram sabhas, and discussions had been held on capturing the monkeys and dogs. The district panchayat officer (DPO) had also issued orders to resolve the problem. However, the officials concerned had failed to address it, they alleged.

Speaking to the media, resident Soppari Krainthi questioned why basic problems causing hardship to residents remained unresolved despite the availability of funds.

He said priority should be given to resolving people’s problems rather than publicising the availability of funds. Conducting gram sabhas merely as a formality while sidelining actual problems was inappropriate, he added.