Protests Erupt Over Assam Flood Relief Distribution Issues

Protests in Sivasagar Over Flood Relief Discrepancies

Jorhat, Aug 8: Protests emerged in Sivasagar on Saturday due to allegations regarding irregularities in the distribution of the Assam government's flood relief assistance of Rs 15,000.

The demonstration, led by the Raijor Dal in front of the Deputy Commissioner's office, highlighted claims from flood-affected individuals who stated that many deserving beneficiaries were overlooked while some unaffected individuals received aid.

Protesters also reported instances where the relief funds were credited multiple times to certain bank accounts, while numerous eligible families had yet to receive any support.

One flood-affected individual expressed frustration, stating, “My family has faced significant losses, yet we have not received any of the promised Rs 15,000.”

However, the protest faced backlash from other residents in Sivasagar, who accused political factions of exploiting the flood crisis for their own agendas while the community is still recovering.

One local remarked, “It is disgraceful to engage in politics during such a critical time. The government should be commended for providing Rs 15,000 to flood-affected families.”

This resident questioned the motives behind the protest, suggesting that resources should be focused on aiding displaced families instead.

“If they had provided a tarpaulin as large as that banner, a displaced family could have found shelter from the rain,” he added.

Concerns were also raised about individuals from outside Sivasagar joining the protest, which some locals felt politicized the flood situation.

“Is bringing flood-affected families to the streets a form of relief or merely deepening their crisis? The true stakeholders are the residents of Sivasagar, not outsiders,” he stated.

Another local accused some protesters of seeking political gain from the disaster, emphasizing that the focus should remain on assisting flood victims.

“This is a time for support, not politics. We can address political issues later; right now, we need to help those in distress,” he said.

A third resident warned that political mobilization could worsen the already challenging situation in the district.

“The district has endured enough hardship. Creating such a tense atmosphere is neither necessary nor acceptable,” he remarked.

These conflicting views arise shortly after Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma acknowledged that approximately 18,000 flood-affected families in Upper Assam had not received the Rs 15,000 assistance due to banking errors.

Sarma assured that the government is addressing these discrepancies and promised that those unable to receive funds via bank transfers would be compensated through cheques or bank drafts.

He reiterated that no eligible flood-affected family would be denied the promised assistance.

The ongoing controversy surrounding relief distribution comes as Sivasagar and other regions in Upper Assam continue to grapple with the aftermath of recent floods, raising concerns about the effectiveness of aid and rehabilitation efforts.