Voters migrate to India as election campaigns enter Baitadi villages

Dhangadhi: While candidates for the House of Representatives elections on Falgun 21 are visiting villages to meet voters, many residents of Baitadi are leaving for India in search of employment. Statistics show that 2,000 people crossed the Jhulaghat border in Poush alone.

According to the Jhulaghat Border Police Post, a total of 2,243 people, including 1,391 men and 852 women, traveled to India from various villages in Baitadi between Poush 1 and Magh 4. Post in-charge Gangaram Tamta noted that data on migration is collected daily, with most migrants coming from Dalit settlements.

Dalit leader Madan Tiruwa stated that in Tirgaun, Butkhola, and Toli of Dasharathchand Municipality-4, half of the roughly 200 Dalit households have migrated to India for employment. At least 20 houses have been locked as entire families, including children, have left. Haris Tiruwa, 22, locked his four-room house and went to India with his children, while Padam Tiruwa also departed with his family of 10, leaving the village nearly deserted.

Madan Tiruwa, a local mechanic, expressed concern that young people are forced to migrate due to the lack of decent employment opportunities in the village, leaving communities empty. Seasonal migration to India during winter is common in Sigas, Surnaya, Melauli, Patan, Pancheshwor, Shivnath, and Purchaudi municipalities. Baitadi, with a single federal constituency, comprises 10 local levels and 84 wards.

Election Preparations Completed

For the House of Representatives election on Falgun 21, 214 polling stations, including 'A' and 'B' sections, have been set up across Baitadi, an increase from 210 in the previous election. Chief District Officer Punya Bikram Poudel confirmed that security monitoring has been intensified in all municipalities. The district has 156,372 registered voters, with 6,216 new voters added this year. The administration stated that all necessary arrangements have been completed to ensure a free, fair, and fear-free election.