Village in Kothagudem vanishes, voters displaced, but elections to be held

Venkatesh Khani gram panchayat voters in Kothagudem face elections despite the village disappearing due to mining expansion. Displaced families living in tents or rented houses demand Indiramma homes, electricity and water. The election is held as the gazette was issued before displacement

Kothagudem: Voters and contestants in Venkatesh Khani gram panchayat, reserved for ST (Women) in Chunchupalli mandal of Kothagudem Assembly constituency, are facing an unusual predicament.

Though around 183 voters are registered under the gram panchayat with four wards, there is no village in existence. It effectively disappeared due to the expansion of the Venkatesh Khani opencast mine, forcing residents to move into areas under the Kothagudem Municipal Corporation.

The villagers earlier lived at 8-