Ranchi, Oct. 7: Hundreds of villagers today spilled on to Ranchi-Gumla-Birmitrapur Highway (NH-143) in Raidih of Gumla district, disrupting traffic for several hours, in support of their long-pending demand for restructuring of their block.

Agitating residents from several villages in Raidih block took to the highway early in the morning and put up blockades at several places.

Though no major untoward incident was reported, long-distance vehicles remained stranded at several places.

Children and women were the worst sufferers in the absence of food, water and toilet facilities. Even ambulances were not allowed to pass.

According to sources, the demonstrations kicked off around 8am and continued for over six hours before the district administration could persuade the protesters to withdraw the blockades.

Raidih block is currently attached to Chainpur subdivision, which is located about 40-45km away.

People living in different parts of Raidih block need to travel over 40km to visit the subdivision office for any official work.

“For any dispute related with land, MGNREGS wage, ration cards and even voter cards or other administration work, the residents need to make a round trip of 80-90 km. It is one of our long-standing demands. People cutting across their political and ideological affiliations are taking part in the campaign,” said a local villager.

The villagers have been demanding that Raidih block be incorporated in Gumla subdivision, which is barely 15km away.

According to sources, the issue has been raised in the state Assembly several times. Even the Gumla district administration forwarded a proposal to the state government long back, suggesting that Raidih block may be attached to Gumla subdivision. But, nothing happened.

With the Assembly elections approaching, different political parties and social organisations are mobilising the villagers to mount pressure on the government for restructuring.

“The situation is under control. We told the protesters that the district administration had already done its job (by sending a proposal to the government in this regard),” said superintendent of police, Gumla, Bheemsen Tuti.

Principal secretary, the revenue and land reforms department, J.B. Tubid maintained that the district administration’s proposal to attach Raidih block with Gumla subdivision had not reached his table yet.

“I need to talk to the persons concerned for restructuring of blocks and subdivisions,” he said.