Akhil Gogoi to launch indefinite agitation from Oct 2 over Assam flood relief

Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Thursday announced a statewide "indefinite agitation" from October 2, alleging that the Assam government had failed to deliver promised financial assistance to flood-affected families.

In a letter to Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, Gogoi said a deadline of October 1 had been set at a September 23 public rally for the government to provide financial assistance and long-term compensation to people affected by the floods.

Flood-hit residents from Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts had protested at the rally under the aegis of the Raijor Dal, alleging that adequate relief and compensation had not reached them even two months after the devastating floods in July.

"The deadline given to the government has passed, leaving nearly half of the flood victims empty-handed. We are launching this agitation on Gandhi Jayanti to fight democratically for the rights and survival of our people," Gogoi said.

He said the agitation would continue until every affected family received the financial assistance announced by the government.

Gogoi claimed that 30 to 40 per cent of flood-affected families in the four districts had not received the Rs 15,000 interim financial assistance announced by the state government.

He further claimed that in Sivasagar and Charaideo, which were among the worst-affected districts, no affected resident had received the additional Rs 10,000 special relief announced by the government.

Gogoi also said the demand for Rs 10 lakh compensation per family for catastrophic flood damage across the four districts remained unfulfilled.

He highlighted the condition of thousands of families displaced by the floods and said the agitation was aimed at seeking relief for those who had yet to receive assistance.

At least 108 people have died in floods in Assam this year, while the disaster caused extensive damage to houses, schools, roads, embankments, cattle sheds, fisheries and health centres in the affected areas.