North East Watch

GUWAHATI, Dec 1, 2008 – Demanding long-term anti-flood and anti-erosion measures to save Dhakuakhana subdivision from the onslaught of the Brahmaputra and adequate rehabilitation for thousands of people rendered homeless by recurring floods and erosion, several prominent organisations of Dhakuakhana have urged the State Government to implement the required measures at the earliest.

A delegation of the organisations called on the State Water Resources Minister, Prithvi Majhi on Saturday and submitted an 11-point charter of demands.

“It is apparent that short-term, ad-hoc measures are futile against the fury of the Brahmaputra. Let there be permanent and scientific construction of the breached embankment at Matmora besides along the stretch from Sisi to Tekeliphuta to Majuli. This is essential to safeguard not just Dhakuakhana but the heritage island of Majuli as well,” the memorandum said.

An adequate rehabilitation package was another major demand, as a large number of homeless people had been languishing in utter poverty, bereft of means of livelihood. “Compensations apart, the rehabilitation package should, among others, ensure foodstuff and essential items to the flood-affected peasants and labourers by bringing them under the below poverty line (BPL) tag,” it said, adding that the people of Dhakuakhana should be exempted from land revenue.

The memorandum also called for reconstruction of all the educational institutions damaged and destroyed by floods besides financial assistance to the affected students so that they could continue with their studies.

Reconstruction of the four major roads linking Dhakuakhoana, equipping the 30-bed hospital of Dhakuakhona and the primary and sub-health centres with sufficient specialist doctors and facilities, reconstructing hospitals and veterinary hospitals destroyed by flood, and finding a permanent solution to the problem of erosion of the Charikoria and Korha rivers were among the issues raised in the memorandum.

The delegation expressed concern over the large-scale destruction of agricultural land by flood-induced silt and erosion. “Vast stretches of farmland have been buried under sand, and inhabitants rendered jobless. The situation in Dhakuakhana would have far-reaching and undesirable implications on the State’s socio-economic front,” it said.

The organisations included Dhakuakhana Mahkuma Unnayan Samiti, Dhakuakhana Mahkuma Chatra Santha, Dhakuakhana Mahkuma Mahila Samiti, Dhakuakhana Tai Ahom Chatra Santha, Dhakuakhana Senior Citizens’ Association, Dhakuakhana Zila Chutiya Chatra Santha, Dhakuakhana Jatiyatabadi Yuba-Chatra Parishad, Aikya Mancha and Kshatriya Sangathan.

Source: Assam Tribune