Residents urge new CEC to restore Pangi Assembly constituency

The people of the tribal valley of Pangi have urged the newly appointed Chief Election Commissioner (CEC) of India Gyanesh Kumar to restore the Pangi Assembly constituency, which was dissolved in the 1966 delimitation exercise.

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Office-bearers of Pangwal Ekta Manch, a forum of Pangi residents, have written a letter to the CEC, reiterating their long pending demand for separate political representation in the state Assembly.

They expressed hope that their constitutional demand for the reinstatement of the Pangi Assembly constituency (1952-1966) would be addressed on merit.

The group had also submitted a memorandum to the previous Chief Election Commissioner on December 11, 2023, elaborating about the historical context and significance of their demand.

The Pangi Assembly constituency was established in 1952 by the first Delimitation Commission of India, with Daulat Ram of the Indian National Congress, a member of the Pangwal community, serving as its representative. However, in 1966, Pangi was merged with the Bharmour constituency, reserved for Scheduled Tribes (ST). Since then, Bharmour has been predominantly represented by members of the Gaddi community, leaving the Pangwal community politically marginalised.

Trilok Thakur, chairman of Pangwal Ekta Manch, highlighted the developmental disparities that have arisen due to this political restructuring. “Unlike other tribal regions such as Kinnaur and Lahaul-Spiti, which have retained separate constituencies and witnessed significant growth, Pangi remains one of the most underdeveloped areas in Himachal Pradesh,” said Thakur. “Restoring the Pangi Assembly constituency will ensure that the voices of our people are heard and our developmental needs are addressed.”

Geographically isolated and characterised by extreme climatic conditions, Pangi faces severe connectivity and developmental issues. Separated from the rest of Himachal Pradesh by the Pir Panjal mountain range, the region remains largely inaccessible during winter when the Sach Pass route is closed, forcing residents to take a 700 km detour via Jammu and Kashmir or Manali to reach the district headquarters. Covering an area of 1,595 sq km, consisting of 19 gram panchayats and 55 revenue villages, the valley also lacks in terms of development, healthcare services and education.

With the next delimitation exercise expected in 2026 or later, the Pangwal community has urged the CEC to consider their demand seriously. The Pangwal Ekta Manch has also expressed its intention to meet the CEC in person to further advocate for their cause. They believe that restoring the Pangi Assembly constituency will not only address historical injustices but also pave the way for much-needed development in the region.