Curb Goonda Elements in the Elections of Van Panchayat in Munsyari region

To:
1. Sri S.Raju , IAS
Commissioner Kumaon Division
Nainital, Uttarakhand
Office Phone : +91 5942 - 235750
Office Fax: +91 5942 - 236041
Residence Phone: +91 5942 - 233775
email: comm-kum-ua@nic.in

2. Shri N.S. Negi, IAS
District Magistrate
Pithoragarh District,
Pithoragarh, Uttarakhand,
Phone Office 1 +91 5964 225201
Phone / Fax Office 2 +91 5964 225441
Fax Number +91 5961 225395
Phone Office (Camp) +91 5964 225301
Phone Residence +91 5964 225001
Mobile Number +91 9410392121
Email : dm-pit-ua@nic.in. And uapit@nic.in

Respected Sirs,

We, members of Civil Society groups and concerned individuals from all over the country write to register our protest and concern at the systematic way in which the Van Panchayat elections in Sarmoli Jainti Van Panchayat (Village Forest Council), Munsiari Block, District Pithoragarh, have been systematically sabotaged since December 2009. As you may be aware, elections in this Van Panchayat were conducted on 3 separate occasions- the 12th and 20th of December 2009 and then on the 10th of January 2010. All three times the election process could not be completed as they were disrupted by an opposition of local contractors and contract workers of the National Thermal Power Corporation that is currently engaged in the construction of a 261 MW Hydropower Project on the Gori river in the valley.
The village community and the elected representatives of the PRI- the Gram Pradhan, the Kshetriya Panchayat member and the Zilla Panchayat member- all have made a concerted effort on all three occasions to ensure free and fair elections. However, there has been a growing threat of violence and a total disregard for democratic processes. It seems there is no intention to have free and fair elections.
This is to request you to please ensure free and fair elections in Sarmoli-Jainti Van Panchayat and to bring to book the disruptive elements that have forced the elections to be cancelled three times already. Specifically, we would like to request to you to ensure:

1. That elections now be held in a safe and neutral place- in the presence of a independent and impartial senior returning officer- as the Van Panchayat Inspector and the local administration has been unable to conclude the electoral process 3 times . A system to recognize genuine voters be ensured along with arranging for security to be provided at the venue to prevent any untoward incident or brow beating of the genuine voters.

2.That action be take against the elements that have disrupted free and fair elections all three times and to take action against interference and the possible connivance of NTPC officials in derailing free and fair elections.

3. That the vicious campaign against the present woman Sarpanch and the threat of violence and intimidation of women supporters and the village community the opposition be stopped with immediate effect.

4. That there be a recognition of the good governance of the Van Panchayat, the conservation of the village forest, water, flora and fauna and the natural resource base as well as the strengthening of local livelihoods through a highly successful community owned eco tourism enterprise.

We request you to kindly take all necessary steps in this regards and also ensure presence of credible national observers as also members of the national media.
Thanking you