Dikhow River mining, Nagaland coal extraction worsened Upper Assam floods: ABSU

Unregulated mining activities along the banks of the Dikhow River and ongoing coal mining in the hills of Nagaland contributed to the large-scale flooding and devastation witnessed in Upper Assam’s Sivasagar district, the All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has alleged.

The ABSU’s rescue team, led by its president Khwrwmdao Wary, completed a nine-day relief and rescue operation among flood-affected families in nine villages of Sivasagar district. During the operation, the team helped 209 families remove silt from their homes, carry out house repairs and transplant paddy in the agricultural fields of affected residents.

After concluding the operation, Wary demanded that the Central and Assam governments provide adequate compensation and rehabilitate the flood-affected families in Upper Assam.

Addressing a press conference on Monday, Wary alleged that the large-scale extraction of stone and sand from the Dikhau River and extensive coal mining activities in Nagaland had contributed to a major natural disaster in Upper Assam.

Citing the findings of a field-level assessment, he urged the Central and state governments to formulate and implement a comprehensive policy and preventive measures to ensure that such large-scale flooding and devastation do not recur in the future.

The ABSU also demanded adequate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction of houses for flood-affected people in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. It further called for the scientific identification of vulnerable areas and the rehabilitation of affected families in safer locations.

According to the organisation, families severely affected by the floods have suffered substantial economic losses and many have been left without financial resources.

Wary said the Assam government should adopt a humanitarian approach and undertake long-term rehabilitation programmes for flood-affected families to help them rebuild their lives and livelihoods.

ABSU general secretary Khanindra Basumatary and assistant general secretary Kripesh Daimary were also present at the press conference.