Durgapur Youths Stage Silent Protest, Demand Accountability on MLA Fund in Borkhola

A silent protest by local youths in Durgapur near Ranighat has drawn attention to the worsening condition of an important road connecting Ranighat with Borkhola and Jarailtola. The protest, marked by a road blockade, raises questions about delays in repair work and the role of local leaders, sparking frustration among commuters.

On Sunday, 25 May, youths from Durgapur staged a silent protest by blocking the main road near Ranighat under the Borkhola constituency. This road is crucial as it connects several key areas, but its condition has been terrible for a long time. Commuters have faced constant difficulties. The protestors said they had spoken to their MLA, Misbahul Islam Laskar, multiple times and were promised repairs. However, despite hearing that the work had been assigned to a contractor, no construction has started yet.

One protester told the media, “We have had dialogues with our MLA, and we always thought he would get the work done. Whenever we contact him, he says the work will begin, but no one ever tells us when. We heard the work was already assigned to a contractor, then why hasn’t it started? We expressed our wish to block the road to draw attention, but our MLA asks us not to do it. We don’t understand what the relationship between the contractor and the MLA is.”

He further added, “This is not just the case in Durgapur, but across the entire Borkhola constituency. Roads in many places are broken, and development is stagnant. There’s no sign of any progress. We don’t even know where the MLA funds are being utilised.”

The protest also highlighted a plaque installed over a month ago at the site, marking the foundation stone for the road repairs. The plaque bears the names of Minister Krishnendu Paul, MP Parimal Suklabaidya, MLA Misbahul Islam Laskar, and District Commissioner Mridul Yadav.

One young protester questioned, “This road is used by the IOC, by the BSF; we use this road to go to Borkhola or even Jarailtola. The road from Ranighat to Gonigram has been constructed, so why is ours still damaged? It’s been over a month since the foundation stone plaque was raised, but no work has begun yet.”

The youths have warned they may hold another protest next Sunday if their concerns remain unheard. They said they will block the road again, allowing only emergency services to pass through, as they did during this protest.