Assam: Indigenous communities of Margherita face crisis as Burhidehing River ravages homes and land

In a stark reminder of nature’s fury and governmental apathy, the indigenous communities living along the banks of the Buridehing River in the Kumchai Gaon Panchayat under the 83 No. Margherita Constituency are facing an existential crisis due to relentless flooding and soil erosion.

 

Several villages including Toklong No. 1 and No. 2, Madhupur, and Amrit have been the worst hit, with thousands of bighas of agricultural land swallowed by the river. Entire livelihoods have been uprooted and homes rendered uninhabitable, forcing many to seek refuge elsewhere.

 

Despite the scale of devastation, the response from the Margherita MLA, district administration, and relevant ministers has been dishearteningly silent. Local voices allege complete negligence, pointing to a continuing cycle of unaddressed distress.

 

In an attempt to bring the issue to the forefront, a team comprising members from the All India Kisan Sabha (AIKS) and All India Youth Federation (AIYF) visited Toklong No. 2 on Saturday. The team included AIYF state executive member Ratul Gogoi, AIKS assistant secretary Sanjeev Ganguly, and Tinsukia district AIYF leaders Bijendra Gogoi and Hemanta Gogoi.

 

A community meeting was convened at Toklong No. 2 Primary School, where the team engaged directly with the flood-affected residents. The gathering saw anguished voices speak about the complete absence of government aid, even as the Buridehing continues to erode the landscape and their futures.

 

During the meeting, the villagers unanimously resolved to form a dedicated committee that would soon escalate their demands to the Assam Government, seeking a permanent solution to the recurring floods and erosion.