The Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS) has alleged that the devastating floods in Upper Assam were not entirely the result of natural factors, claiming that illegal coal and stone mining, allegedly backed by political influence, contributed to the disaster. The peasant organisation has demanded a CBI investigation into the alleged nexus.
Addressing a press conference in Guwahati KMSS general secretary Bidyut Saikia said the latest flooding could not be attributed only to cloudbursts or water flowing in from neighbouring states.
Saikia alleged that extensive illegal open-cast mining in the hill areas bordering Meghalaya, Nagaland and Arunachal Pradesh had created large pits and artificial reservoirs. He claimed that these areas accumulated rainwater which was released rapidly during heavy rainfall, contributing to flash floods in Assam.
The KMSS leader further alleged that around 40 to 60 coal-laden trucks enter Assam from Nagaland every day and claimed that illegal collections of Rs 1.5 lakh to Rs 2 lakh are made from each truck. Referring to a Crime Branch chargesheet, he alleged the existence of a coal syndicate worth around Rs 3,000 crore.
The organisation also alleged links between illegal coal and stone operators and political leaders in Assam and Nagaland, calling for a CBI probe into the matter.
Saikia urged the government to immediately stop illegal mining, warning that failure to act could result in similar disasters in the future.
The KMSS also questioned the Centre’s flood-relief allocation to Assam. It claimed that Assam received Rs 379 crore under the State Disaster Response Fund, while Odisha, Gujarat and Maharashtra were allocated Rs 500 crore each.
The organisation demanded Rs 8,000 per bigha as compensation for crop losses, a complete waiver of agricultural loans and 300 units of free electricity every month for flood-affected families for one year. It also called for an immediate halt to the installation of smart electricity meters.
Saikia warned of a statewide agitation if the government failed to address the organisation’s demands concerning illegal mining, compensation and farm loan waivers.
Meanwhile, the Assam government has released the first tranche of interim flood relief to more than 75,000 severely affected households across four districts.
In flood-ravaged Nepalikhuti village of Sivasagar district, residents have urged Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma to take permanent measures to protect them from recurring floods and erosion.
During his visit to Nepalikhuti Ward No. 7 under Bihubor Panchayat on August 3, villagers demanded construction of a guard wall along the Dikhow River and an immediate halt to stone quarrying.
The village, located near the Assam-Nagaland border, was among the worst-hit areas. Residents said around 283 households had been affected, with many homes either severely damaged or completely destroyed.
Villagers alleged that prolonged quarrying along the Dikhow had altered the river’s course and intensified erosion and flooding.
One of the most affected residents was livestock farmer Binod Sharma, who said he lost 29 of his 30 cows. The animals included Sahiwal, Jersey and Gir breeds, and cattle rearing was his family’s main source of livelihood.
The government has announced compensation under SDRF norms for families that lost livestock in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat. Eligible households will receive Rs 37,500 for each large milch animal, up to three animals; Rs 4,000 for each goat or pig, up to 30 animals; and Rs 100 per poultry bird, up to 100 birds.
Sarma directed officials to prepare a detailed assessment of livestock losses and assured affected farmers that eligible beneficiaries would receive the announced compensation.
The Chief Minister also met Sumi Karmakar, whose husband, Krishna Karmakar, was swept away by floodwaters in front of her. Sarma assured the bereaved family of all possible government support.
Local stone traders also apprised the Chief Minister of the economic losses caused by the floods. They said quarries had been buried under thick layers of silt, while dumpers, excavators and other machinery remained trapped beneath the mud.
Several small traders said they had lost both their quarry operations and expensive equipment, leaving them without a source of income.
Sarma assured them that the government would extend assistance to eligible beneficiaries and facilitate insurance claims for damaged vehicles and machinery wherever applicable.