Guwahati: Major political and social organizations in Assam, including the Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) and the influential Krishak Mukti Sangram Samiti (KMSS), have vociferously demanded a comprehensive, high-level probe into the factors exacerbating the state's recent devastating floods. Both groups have pointed fingers at a nexus of illegal activities and administrative failures, which they claim are directly responsible for the scale of the catastrophe.
Addressing the media, representatives from the APCC and KMSS asserted that widespread illegal coal mining operations across the state are a primary contributor to environmental degradation, leading to increased siltation of rivers and disruption of natural water flow channels. They argue that these illicit syndicates operate with impunity, undermining efforts to manage floodwaters effectively and protect vulnerable communities.
Beyond environmental damage, the organizations have also leveled serious allegations of government fund mismanagement. They contend that substantial funds allocated for flood control projects, embankment repairs, and disaster mitigation efforts have either been misused or siphoned off, leaving critical infrastructure vulnerable and communities unprepared for the annual deluges. This alleged financial impropriety, they claim, has directly compromised the state's ability to withstand heavy rainfall and river overflows, turning natural events into man-made disasters.
The demand for an impartial inquiry underscores growing public frustration over the recurrent flood crisis in Assam and the perceived lack of accountability. The groups have urged the state government to initiate a transparent investigation to identify those responsible, both within the illegal mining network and the administrative machinery, to ensure justice and implement long-term, sustainable solutions to protect the lives and livelihoods of Assam's citizens.
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