‘48 days have passed’: Akhil Gogoi protests delay in relief for flood-affected victims of Assam

A large protest was held in Sivasagar on Tuesday, August 25, led by Sivasagar MLA and Raijor Dal chief Akhil Gogoi, with flood-affected residents demanding the immediate release of the Rs 15,000 one-time financial assistance announced by the Assam government.

The protest was organised at the Boarding Playground in Sivasagar town, where thousands of men and women gathered to raise concerns over the alleged delay in disbursal of the relief amount.

The protesters alleged that 48 days after the devastating floods caused by the Dikhow River, several affected families had still not received the promised financial assistance. They accused the Sivasagar district administration of failing to ensure timely delivery of the relief despite the extensive damage caused by the floods.

Speaking to India Today, Gogoi said, “It is sad to learn that 48 days have passed yet, the one-time flood relief has not reached the victims of Assam floods yet. We cannot tolerate this, hence today we are organising a mass protest.”

Gogoi also demanded that the government increase the assistance to Rs 10 lakh for each flood-affected family, citing the scale of destruction caused by the floods.

“If the government does not listen to our demand, then I will take the people of the flood-affected areas to Guwahati and protest in front of Assam CM's office until they don't pay heed to our demand,” he said.

The protesters alleged that the floods, triggered by the swelling Dikhow River after waters flowed downstream from neighbouring Nagaland, caused significant damage across Sivasagar, Charaideo and Jorhat districts.

Residents participating in the protest said many affected families were yet to receive even the announced financial assistance, adding to their difficulties in recovering from the losses caused by the floods.

The protesters demanded immediate disbursal of the pending relief and greater financial assistance for families that suffered substantial damage to their homes, property and livelihoods.

The protest has also put the spotlight on the implementation of the state government's flood-relief measures and the role of the district administration in ensuring that assistance reaches affected beneficiaries without delay.