Assam student activists burn minister's effigy over Guwahati's recurring flood crisis

Tensions escalated outside the central office of the Asom Jatiyatabadi Yuba Chatra Parishad (AJYCP) in Chandmari on Sunday as student activists set fire to an effigy of Urban Development Minister Jayanta Mallabaruah, demanding immediate action on the city's persistent artificial flooding problem.

 

The demonstration, organised by AJYCP's Guwahati Metropolitan Committee, quickly turned confrontational when police moved in to disperse the crowd.

 

What began as a peaceful protest with placards and slogans soon erupted into a physical altercation between officers and student activists.

 

The artificial flooding issue has become a major concern for Guwahati residents, with waterlogged streets becoming a regular sight during monsoons despite ongoing development projects.

 

The students accused the state government of failing to address the root causes of the flooding, which they claim could be prevented with proper urban planning and drainage systems.

 

AJYCP members gathered at their own headquarters to stage the protest, highlighting their frustration with what they see as administrative negligence. The organisation has been vocal about various civic issues affecting Assam's youth and students.

 

AJYCP leaders stated that more protests will follow if the government fails to address the crisis effectively.