Following strategic outreach by the district administration, residents of Jhumdang village in Chitrakonda block opted not to participate in the ongoing Andhra Pradesh elections.
Located in Dhuliput panchayat along the Andhra border, the village had previously seen speculation regarding voter participation in the neighbouring state’s electoral process.
Under the direction of Malkangiri Collector Prathamesh Arvind Rajeshirke, senior officials conducted a public hearing and service delivery camp in Jhumdang. Led by Additional District Magistrate (Administration) Somnath Pradhan, alongside revenue officials, sub-divisional officers, and local tehsildars, the administrative team assured villagers of state government welfare coverage and infrastructure development.
Over 500 residents attended the special camp, submitting 137 grievance applications related to job cards, ration cards, Aadhaar registration, social security benefits, and housing schemes.
Free health check-ups and medicine distribution were also organised on-site. To ensure order during the administrative intervention, local police deployed two platoons of forces and established border barricades.
Following discussions with the visiting delegation, villagers agreed to refrain from voting in Andhra Pradesh, expressing confidence in the local administration’s commitment to providing civic amenities and safeguarding territory along the state border.
