The northern border of Sankhuwasabha is Kimathanka, from where the city is visible during the day and the lights twinkle as night falls. The mountains and rivers on the other side are the Dendang and Changa markets of Tibet. But Kimathanka is waiting for development in the dazzling light of solar panels. 

Pasang Bhote, a resident of this place, is waiting for development. As the House of Representatives elections to be held on 21 Falgun are approaching, he says, ‘There are only a few days left, and the candidates have not come to show their faces.’

Bhotkhola Rural Municipality-1 Kimathanka has a total population of 445 and 308 voters. In this settlement, which does not have a road network, the candidates have reached the places where the road is accessible, but they have not reached the remote Kimathanka. Local leaders of various parties have been asking for votes, but voters want to hear the agenda of the candidates directly. 

‘We transport goods from Chaunri,’ said Pasang, ‘Big vehicles arrive at every door, there is no transport facility in the village, nor a market for doing business. Since it is located in the border area, they demand that bilateral movement should be open. The market on the other side is well-equipped, lit by electricity, but on the other side, the story is the same - darkness and lack of development.’

According to locals, the religious and social partisanship in the village, the social conflict created by the promoter of the electricity project, has not yet been resolved. The division within the community has affected development works. ‘We want social peace, we want to move forward together,’ he says, ‘but there is no one to listen to our problems and complaints.’

As the elections approach, the voters of Kimathanka are concerned with the issue of development and accessibility. Their priorities are clear, roads, regular electricity, market arrangements, easy movement at the border and resolution of local conflicts. But the disappointment has increased when the candidate himself does not come to the village with these issues. The flickering light of the Tibetan city visible from their courtyard is both hope and pain for them. ‘There is light, there are facilities. We live in the dim light of solar power,’ says Pasang, ‘We also need the same development.’

Leaders make election speeches saying that they will build roads and turn on electricity. ‘But how long will we live in darkness like this? We also want to walk to the district headquarters, Khandbari,’ said Pasang. In a remote settlement like Kimathanka, the election is not just a process of voting, it is also a question of access and identity. Locals are concerned that the voice of democracy will also be weakened in a place where roads do not reach.

Will the election remove the darkness of Kimathanka or leave it as it is, this question is currently swirling in the minds of the 308 voters here. The residents of Kimathanka, who are staring at the flickering city, say, ‘We will vote this time, but when will development reach our village?’ 

The nearest markets for Kimathanka residents to shop are Dendang and Changa Bazaar in Tibet, said local Kami Bhote. It takes 45 minutes for Kimathanka residents to walk there. It takes at least 4 days to transport saltpeter from the district headquarters Khandbari to Kimathanka. 

Although Sankhuwasabha is considered rich in geography, culture and natural heritage, development has not picked up as expected.