Sivasagar: All Tai Ahom Students’ Union (ATASU) staged a rally on Monday, demanding immediate flood relief and a high-level inquiry into the district’s unprecedented flooding.Led by president Basanta Gogoi, ATASU alleged that most affected families had not received the Rs 15,000 interim assistance announced by the Assam govt.CM Himanta Biswa Sarma launched distribution through Direct Benefit Transfer on Aug 4 to affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat.“We want the govt to clarify why a large number of genuine flood-affected people are yet to receive the Rs 15,000 interim relief. The assistance should reach every eligible family without further delay,” Gogoi said.ATASU demanded an 18-km embankment along Dikhow, strengthening of the Dorika embankment and a Rs 10,000-crore package for Sivasagar and Charaideo.“We cannot remain dependent on temporary relief every year. Permanent flood-control measures must be taken, particularly along vulnerable stretches of the Dikhow and Dorika rivers,” Gogoi said.He sought an inquiry into whether the July 19 flood was natural or aggravated by human activities, including possible unscientific coal and stone mining along the Assam-Nagaland border.“We have been told by Konyak organisations from Nagaland that unscientific coal and stone mining along the Assam-Nagaland border may have contributed to the devastating situation. This needs proper inquiry and scientific research,” Gogoi added.The organisation threatened a major protest on Sept 10 if the govt failed to respond.
