SIVASAGAR: An impassioned appeal by a flood-affected resident in Sivasagar during Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma's recent visit has intensified scrutiny on alleged illegal sand and stone extraction activities along the Dikhow River. The woman, visibly distraught, directly urged the Chief Minister to intervene and halt what she described as rampant unlawful mining, asserting that such actions are directly contributing to the erosion of her home and increasing the community's susceptibility to floods.
The incident unfolded as Chief Minister Sarma was engaging with families in the flood-ravaged Hiloni Khuti village. As he interacted with the distressed locals, the woman broke down, pleading for immediate action to protect their homes from being swept away. Her emotional address underscored a growing concern among residents, who consistently report that unchecked mining operations are severely undermining the riverbanks, leading to accelerated erosion and making their villages more vulnerable during the monsoon season.
Local inhabitants have repeatedly voiced their apprehensions, linking the extensive and unauthorized removal of sand and stones to the Dikhow River's changing course and increased destructive power during floods. They argue that these illicit activities compromise the natural integrity of the river system, diminishing its capacity to withstand heavy rainfall and consequently displacing families and destroying property.
The Chief Minister's visit to assess the flood situation provided a critical platform for residents to directly convey their grievances. The plea serves as a poignant reminder of the complex challenges faced by riverine communities in Assam, where environmental degradation, often fueled by illegal resource extraction, compounds the impact of natural disasters.
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