A CORRESPONDENT
ORANG: Amidst a prolonged dry spell affecting agricultural activities across Assam, the Udalguri District Unit of AASU today staged a protest in front of the Udalguri-Mazbat Irrigation Division office. The protest, held from 11 AM to 12 noon, aimed to highlight the dire situation of farmers in the district and demand immediate action from the government to ensure irrigation facilities and financial relief.
The demonstrators submitted a memorandum to the Chief Minister of Assam through the Deputy Commissioner of Udalguri. In the memorandum, AASU demanded immediate implementation of effective irrigation measures to mitigate the impact of drought and urged the government to provide one-time financial assistance to the affected farmers.
Speaking to reporters, AASU, Udalguri District President Bitopan Das and General Secretary Madhurya Sharma said, “Udalguri is one of the most agriculture-dependent districts in the BTR region, with nearly 90% of the population engaged in farming. The ongoing drought has rendered farmers helpless, unable to carry out their cultivation activities. The lack of a scientific and well-planned irrigation policy is pushing them toward economic ruin.”
They further pointed out that despite the presence of large tea gardens, both privately owned and under multinational corporations, the needs of the local farming community are constantly ignored. Many farmers had prepared for paddy transplantation, but due to insufficient water supply and the prolonged drought, their efforts have been in vain.
The AASU leaders expressed deep concern over the chronic shortage of essential agricultural inputs such as seeds, fertilizers, pesticides, and irrigation infrastructure. “Even with timely irrigation, farmers could have managed a decent harvest, but the continued drought has made it impossible. Thousands of farmers in the district are now facing devastating losses,” they said.
The student union warned in their memorandum that if the government fails to take immediate steps to ensure irrigation facilities and drought mitigation, they will be compelled to intensify their democratic agitation with the support of the public.
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