Flood donations ‘swindled’, two FIRs lodged at Makum Police Station in Tinsukia

Our Correspondent

TINSUKIA: At a time when several organizations are extending relief to the flood victims, a bizarre incident of swindling donated collection has raised many eyebrows. Two FIRs have been lodged at Makum Police Station in Tinsukia district against Mayarani Lahon Gogoi, State secretary of Jatiya Mahila Parishad (JMP), who allegedly physically assaulted Diganta Gohain, the coordinator of Sur Bahini inside Makum PS in presence of officer-in-charge on Sunday.

In a press meet at Tinsukia Press Club on Monday, Diganta Gohain said that Silpi Samaj created a troupe- Sur Bahini -comprising 30 artistes of undivided Dibrugarh district to raise funds by singing on roads for flood-affected people under the supervision of noted artiste Luit Gogoi. The JMP decided to join in the endeavours after Luit Gogoi appealed to other organizations for help. The three-day programme was held at Tinsukia on July 24, Dibrugarh-Duliajan on July 25 and at Naharkatiya on July 26.

Of the total 16 donation boxes, three boxes which JMP brought containing Rs 30,000 were allegedly retained by Mayarani Lahon Gogoi at her Makum residence while falsely claiming that Rs 8,000 fell short out of the Rs 92,240 which Sur Bahani deposited to her as per the advice of Luit Gogoi after two days of collection, Gohain said, adding further that nearly Rs 2 lakh had been collected in three days and proper accounts would be submitted after distribution. As alleged, Mayarani did not hand over the collected sum to Sur Bahini for distribution to the flood-affected people even after repeated requests.

Both the parties joined for reconciliation at the office chamber of Tikheswar Gogoi officer-in-charge of Makum PS on Sunday. A heated argument followed between artistes of Sur Bahini and Mayarani Lahon Gogoi. Mayarani allegedly suddenly struck a blow on the face of Diganta Gohain. This incident happened in presence of officer-in-charge. Subsequently, two FIRs were lodged against Mayarari Lahon Gogoi and the cases registered as 135/2019 u/s 406 IPC and 136/2019 u/s 294/323 IPC.

Diganta Gohain revealed that a total of Rs 38,000 had been allegedly swindled by Mayarani Lahon Gogoi.

Also read: Guwahati Residents Join Hands With NGOs To Provide Relief To Flood Victims