Shivamogga: District administration in Shivamogga chose Tumari Gram Panchayat in Sagar Taluk for ‘digital GP’ initiative, and in 2018, the BSNL Tower was installed in the village to increase connectivity.
However, the aim has not been completed, encouraging residents in villages under the jurisdiction of Tumari GP to launch ‘no cellular network, no voting initiative.
The villagers have decided to boycott Zilla Panchayat and the selection of Panchayat Taluk to protest the failure of selected representatives to ensure cellular connectivity.
Many young professionals, who returned to villages in GP’s jurisdiction, after kuncian enforcement, have struggled to work at home due to lack of telephone and internet connectivity.
They were forced to climb the nearest hill or stay at a relative house in the nearest cities.
School students and colleges in the Malnad region are one of the most affected worst.
The villagers fall under the jurisdiction of five GPS on the banks of the Sharavathi river in Sagar, has threatened to boycott the selection of TP and ZP.
People who tried to support their support for their campaign, have made door-todoor visits in Tumari, Shankara Shanubog, Aralagodu and other villages.
Many other villages in Hosanagara, Thirthahalli Taluks in the Shivamogga and Kopp and Sringeri district in Chikamagaluru, have joined the #Nonetworknovoting campaign, which has been launched on the social media portal.
Shankar, a resident of Kattinakaru Village near Kodachadri, said he had created the WhatsApp group to get support for the campaign.
“If the Representative is selected, including MP Shivamogga by Raghavendra and local legislators, failing to overcome this continuous problem, we will stay away from the polling booth,” he said.
BSNL Assistant General Manager Venkatesh said: “We have not received a fresh proposal or grant to expand our services, while private players, the only goal that benefits, will not cellular towers.”