Assam: ATASU demands Rs 10,000 crore aid, expert probe into flood disaster

OUR CORRESPONDENT

SIVASAGAR: The central president of All Tai Ahom Students' Union (ATASU), Basanta Gogoi, on Friday addressed a press conference at the office of the Dol Development Committee, Sivasagar, and urged the Assam Government to take immediate long-term measures to restore the flood-ravaged conditions of historic Sivasagar and Charaideo districts.

Gogoi demanded an immediate financial package of Rs 10,000 crore to rebuild and restore the two historic districts to their pre-flood condition. He also called for a high-level expert committee to investigate the actual causes behind the recent disaster and recommend permanent remedial measures.

Among the key demands raised by the students' body were a comprehensive soil test to identify the underlying causes of the recurring flood and erosion problems and scientific dredging of the Dikhow river.

The organisation also demanded construction and strengthening of the approximately 15-km vulnerable stretch along the Dikhow river, with the entire embankment raised and strengthened to withstand extreme flood pressure. It sought the raising and strengthening of embankments along the Darika, Desang, Jhanji, and Mitong rivers as well.

Gogoi called for measures to free the Namdang river from encroachment and the undertaking of dredging to restore its carrying capacity. He further demanded that the historic Jamuna in Sivasagar town be cleared of encroachments and dredged on an urgent basis to improve the town's drainage and flood-control system.

The organisation also expressed concern over alleged illegal coal and stone mining in the Naga Hills, which it said could affect river courses and aggravate flood-related problems. It urged the Assam Government to seek the cooperation of the Nagaland Government and initiate a tripartite discussion with the Centre to curb such activities and monitor changes in river courses.

The students' body further demanded scientific dredging of the Dikhow river and urged the Assam Government to implement the Flood Plain Zoning Act in the state to regulate construction and human activities in vulnerable flood-prone areas.

The demands, Gogoi said, were aimed at finding permanent solutions to the recurring flood and erosion problems affecting the two historic districts.

Also Read: Assam Floods: 49 Dead, 9 Persons Missing in Sivasagar Floods, So Far