As 60% of Sutana’s population is suffering from diseases due to fly ash generated from Panipat Thermal Power Station Residents of Sutana, a village in Panipat, have participated enthusiastically in every Assembly and Parliamentary elections since Independence, but this time, they have decided to boycott the Lok Sabha elections slated for April 10. Owning to lackadaisical behaviour of politicians towards their problems, including pollution from the 1,360-MW Panipat Thermal Power Station (PTPS), over 5,000 voters of Sutana, a village located in the Israna Assembly segment of Karnal, have decided to not to vote. “We have decided to boycott the Lok Sabha elections. We don't have any other option, but to take the decision to draw attention of the central leadership of parties towards our problems. So far the state leadership has failed to address them,” said Raj Singh Sutana, a villager. Villagers held meetings on March 16 and March 30 and decided to boycott the polls. Elderly Ramphal said: “Over 10,000 villagers are living in pitiable conditions since decades due to pollution by the plant. We have been breathing in polluted air and drinking contaminated water. As a result, many villagers are suffering from serious diseases. Politicians used to come here just to seek votes." Rampat Sharma, another villager, said: “Ash flying from the plant has polluted air, makes it even more difficult to breathe here. We cannot sit or sleep in the open and even can not put our wet clothes outside to dry.” Another villager Suresh Kumar said:”We are forced to drink polluted water as the underground water here has got contaminated due to seepage of toxic chemicals from the PTPS ash-disposal pond.” “A few villagers have installed ROs, but all can not afford them. The water is so contaminated that they can even damage ROs filters,” said Krishan. “Sixty per cent population of the village is suffering from one or the other disease. Over 20 persons, including young Nehru Sutana and Hari Ram, are suffering from paralysis. Many villagers are suffering from respiratory diseases. Kidney problems, skin and abdomen-related diseases, high BP and grey hair illness are common among youngsters,” said Mohinder Singh. Ramesh said: "Over 400 acres fertile land belonging to 100 farmers have turned barren following continuous seepage of effluents containing high concentration of arsenic, barium, cadmium, chromium, lead and mercury from the PTPS pond.” “Not even a single villager was offered a job in the plant despite the fact that over 2,000 acres village land was acquired for installing its various units from time to time. “No candidate contesting from Karnal has so far conducted any public meeting at the village. Only Virender Maratha (BSP) has visited a few houses of his community in the village,” said Satpal. “ Now, we decided to boycott the polls so that politicians can pay heed to our demands. We want a permanent solution to our problems.,” said Ramphal.