GUWAHATI, Oct 7: Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday warned of a statewide democratic movement if the Assam government failed to respond to his demands for compensation to flood-affected families.
Gogoi, who began a satyagraha on October 2, said his protest had entered its sixth day. He said the agitation would be withdrawn if the government provided full compensation to more than two lakh families affected by the floods.
At a press conference, Gogoi alleged that the government’s assessment had identified only around 55,000 affected families, while more than two lakh families required assistance. He questioned the basis of the assessment and alleged discrepancies in the survey.
“The government says only 55,000 families have been affected, while the actual number is more than two lakh. This figure is misleading,” he said.
Gogoi also criticised Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma over his recent remarks on the agitation, alleging that the government had focused on attacking him instead of addressing the compensation issue.
He challenged the BJP to launch a democratic movement seeking relief for every flood-affected family and said he would support such an agitation.
The Raijor Dal leader questioned the adequacy of the Centre’s financial assistance, claiming that the Rs 1,200 crore announced for Assam would not cover the losses caused by the floods. He also alleged that the state government had failed to adequately present the scale of the disaster before the Centre.
Gogoi criticised ministers Sushanta Borgohain, Mayur Borgohain and Dharmeswar Konwar over their handling of the flood situation. He further claimed that Rs 20 crore provided by ONGC had not been released from the Chief Minister’s Relief Fund.
He said he would wait until midnight on Wednesday for a response from the government, failing which a statewide mass movement would begin from Thursday.
Gogoi also alleged that the government could use force to suppress future protests and raised concerns over the state’s law and order situation. He invoked Pranab Boro, whom he described as a person who had sacrificed his life for Assam.
The Sivasagar MLA also criticised the Chief Minister over celebrations following the Silchar election result, objecting to the bursting of firecrackers and describing it as “foolishness”.
The Assam government had not, according to the information provided, responded to Gogoi’s latest allegations.
