By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, July 22: Representatives of four students’ union, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU), All Rabha Students’ Union (ARSU), All Tiwa Students’ Union (ATSU) and the Takam Mising Porin Kebang (TMPK) today addressed the various problems faced by the flood affected people in various districts of Assam in a joint press conference held at Tribal Guest House here today.

A 25-member team of representatives from the four organizations had recently toured the deluge-hit areas of Assam recently.

Johan Doley, the TMPK president while speaking on the flood relief measures taken by the Government said, “Since July 18, we have toured several areas of Morigaon, Nagaon, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Dhemaji, Dhokuakhana, Jonai, Tinsukia, Lika-dodia and interacted with the affected persons. We saw that the government has not done much for the flood affected people. All relief aids are siphoned off by Congress dalals and distributed among Congress voters.”

 He further said, “Even the flood control schemes of the government have proved a failure.”

Stressing that floods in Assam are not a recent occurrence and that the State has been reeling under its impact since the last 60 years, Doley said, “The government does not take any pro-active steps to prevent the occurrence of floods. It wakes up only during times of crisis.”

He said, the government can readily provide statistics of the animals killed during floods in Kaziranga but it fears to make a count of the total loss of domestic animals, since this would mean paying compensation to the owners.

He further said that instead of wasting crores of central funds on dismantling the Maoist bases in the State, which is still at nascent state, the government should use the funds for flood prevention measures.

On the other hand, Tonkeswar Rabha, president of ARSU said, “Depriving the people of flood relief is violation of human rights.” He said, “The cultural heritage of Majuli which has gained worldwide recognition and is on its way to attain the title of world heritage site will soon be reduced to nothing. The world will instead know Majuli for its flood and erosion.”

Meanwhile, Jiron Basumatary, general secretary of ABSU said, “The waters released by the Kurisu river in Bhutan has flooded the entire BTC areas. The government should press its Bhutanese counterpart to stop dam construction on the river.”

On the other hand, Prahlad Kumar Mosrong of ATSU stressed on construction of guide bunds in Morigaon district to control flood in the district.