By our Staff Reporter

GUWAHATI, Sept 23: Keeping in mind the grim flood situation in the State, All India United Democratic Front (AIUDF) president Badruddin Ajmal said that Chief Minister Tarun Gogoi should cut short his Japan visit and return home to oversee the relief and rescue operations.

AIUDF supremo Badruddin Ajmal said, “The flood situation in Assam has taken a turn for the worse and the Chief Minister must be here to control the situation and to monitor the relief and rehabilitation measures.”

He made a clarion call for protection and preservation of Majuli. “Majuli is Assam’s pride. Majuli is our cultural heritage but it is on the verge of being washed away by the surging waters of the Brahmaputra unless the government steps in and takes immediate measures to protect this island from erosion. Flood and erosion control measures in Majuli are the need of the hour,” said Ajmal.

He lamented the heavy damage caused by floods in Dhemaji, Lakhimpur, Majuli, Dhakuwakhana, Morigaon, Nalbari and Barpeta. “It is time that the government comes up with a permanent solution to the flood and erosion problem in the State. It is unfortunate that despite repeated appeals made by various political parties and organizations to declare Assam’s flood and erosion problem as a national problem, the State and Central governments have still not taken steps in this regard,” he said.

Ajmal added, “Lakhs of people have been displaced by floods this year. The government must take effective and immediate relief measures. Adequate relief camps must be set up and proper rehabilitation must be given to the flood-affected people.”

The AIUDF chief also said that harassment of genuine Indian citizens in the name of detecting and deporting illegal immigrants should stop.