Guwahati: The Assam Pradesh Congress Committee (APCC) has launched a scathing attack on the state's BJP government, alleging that the devastating floods recently witnessed in several districts of Upper Assam were not merely natural calamities but were significantly aggravated by human-induced factors. Speaking at a press conference held at Rajiv Bhawan in Guwahati this past Sunday, APCC leaders contended that rampant illegal mining and a well-entrenched coal syndicate operating across the state's borders are primarily responsible for the disaster.
According to the Congress, illicit mining operations along the Assam-Meghalaya, Assam-Nagaland, and Assam-Arunachal Pradesh borders have severely altered the natural landscape, thereby intensifying the flood situation and triggering flash floods. Bedabrata Bora, chairman of the APCC Media Department, specifically pointed fingers at illegal stone crushers and a 'black coal syndicate' as the root cause of the widespread devastation.
Bora elaborated on the mechanics of this alleged man-made disaster, stating, "Open-cast mining has created enormous pits where rainwater accumulates before suddenly overflowing and unleashing destructive flash floods downstream." He asserted that these activities disrupt natural drainage patterns and significantly increase the vulnerability of downstream areas to inundation.
In light of these serious allegations, the APCC has formally demanded a comprehensive judicial probe into the alleged coal syndicate and its links to the flood situation. The party insists that this inquiry be led by a sitting judge of the Supreme Court to ensure impartiality and a thorough investigation into the matter, which continues to plague the flood-prone region.
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