Hundreds of flood-affected people took to the streets on Tuesday demanding the immediate release of the one-time assistance of Rs 15,000 announced by the Assam government. The massive protest was staged at the historic Boarding Field in Sivasagar town under the leadership of Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi. Men and women in large numbers participated in the agitation, expressing anger over the inordinate delay in the distribution of aid.
The protesters raised serious allegations that even after 48 days since the devastating floods of the Dikhow river caused extensive damage, many affected families are yet to receive government assistance. They also alleged that the Sivasagar district administration has completely failed to provide timely relief to those who lost everything in the floods.
Expressing his anger from the protest site before the media, MLA Akhil Gogoi said, “It is extremely unfortunate that flood victims have not received this one-time assistance even after 48 days of losing everything in the floods. We will never tolerate this injustice and that is why this mass protest has been organized today with the people.”
Along with this, considering the actual extent of damage, the MLA demanded a one-time assistance of Rs 10 lakh for each affected family.
Issuing a stern warning to the government, the Raijor Dal leader said, “If the government does not accept our demand, I will take the flood-affected people along with me to Guwahati and stage an indefinite dharna in front of the Chief Minister’s office until the demand is fulfilled.”
The rise in water level of the Dikhow river due to water flowing down from Nagaland had caused extensive damage not only in Sivasagar but also in Charaideo and Jorhat districts. People who have lost their houses, property and livelihood expressed resentment over not receiving even the declared aid money till date. This protest has once again raised a big question mark over the actual implementation of the state government’s flood relief measures and the role of the district administration.
