Flood Relief Row Escalates In Assam As Akhil Gogoi Begins Indefinite Protest, CM Hits Back

Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Friday began an indefinite sit-in at the Assam Assembly premises, demanding enhanced financial assistance and compensation for families affected by this year's devastating floods.

Gogoi said his satyagraha would continue until the state government fulfilled its commitments on flood relief. His demands include ₹15,000 in one-time interim assistance for affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat, along with an additional ₹10,000 for affected families in Sivasagar and Charaideo.

He is also seeking ₹10 lakh compensation for every flood-affected family in the four districts, particularly those that suffered major losses.

Gogoi had announced the indefinite agitation on Thursday, alleging that the government had failed to distribute the relief it had promised. He claimed 30 to 40 per cent of affected families in the four districts were yet to receive the ₹15,000 assistance. He also alleged that families in Sivasagar and Charaideo had not received the additional ₹10,000 special relief.

The protest came after an October 1 deadline set by Gogoi for the government to complete the distribution of the promised assistance. The MLA has maintained that the agitation will continue until his demands are met.

Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma, however, accused Gogoi of trying to take political credit for assistance that the government was already preparing to provide.

Speaking to reporters on the sidelines of an election rally in Nagaon, Sarma said damage assessment surveys were being conducted by teachers and claimed that 55,000 families had already been identified for assistance.

Sarma said Gogoi was aware of the government's efforts and alleged that his objective was to claim credit once the relief reached beneficiaries. He described the approach as “the level of politics of small children”.

The dispute comes against the backdrop of a severe flood season in Assam. At least 108 people have died in the floods this year, while houses, schools, roads, embankments, cattle sheds, fisheries and health centres have suffered damage.