Erosion-hit people threaten to commit suicide

A Correspondent

Tezpur, June 15: Every year during the rainy season, the people living on the bank of rivers namely Gabharu, Jiabharali, Dipota, Belsiri in Sonitpur district have to confront threats posed by flood and erosion caused by rivers in high spate. The people living in the riverine areas in the district, particularly in Khaloibil, Nepali Village, Koroiani and Tengabasti and many others areas under Rajgarh Gaon panchayat have expressed their strong resentment over the alleged indifferent attitude of the government in not taking steps to reduce their sufferings. The villagers, who have lost their dwellings due to erosion by river Jia Bharali in Sonitpur district, have threatened to commit suicide by jumping into the river if the State government fails to take any action to protect them from erosion. The affected villagers have alleged that they have requested the authorities concerned, including the district administration and local MLA Brindaban Goswami several times. More than 500 families have reportedly lost their dwellings and more than 200 acres of agricultural land has been lost due to erosion by river Jia Bharali during the last two monsoons. The villagers have lost not only their houses but also schools and several religious places of worship.

The water level of the river has also risen in the last couple of days in Tezpur sub-division of Sonitpur district. The villagers of Khaloibil and its adjoining villages like Koroiaani Nepali village, Tengabasti and many others are affected by large-scale erosions. “We urge the authorities concerned to take necessary steps on time, otherwise all the villages will be washed away soon,” the villagers said. Several villages from Khaloibil, Koroiaani, Nepali gaon to Panchmail Behiagaon area have been affected where an embankment along the Old NT Road was repaired earlier but not been repaired this year, sources said.