GUWAHATI: Demanding a revision of the government’s flood relief package, Raijor Dal president and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi began a day-long hunger strike in Dispur on Thursday, September 17.
The protest is being held outside Lok Sewa Bhawan and is scheduled to continue from 8 am to 4 pm. Gogoi has raised a series of demands concerning compensation, rehabilitation and financial assistance for families affected by the recent floods in Upper Assam.
A major demand raised by the Raijor Dal leader is ₹10 lakh in compensation for every family that suffered loss of homes or property in the floods. He has also sought financial assistance for flood-damaged commercial establishments and immediate support of between ₹15,000 and ₹25,000 for each affected family.
Gogoi has argued that the existing relief provisions do not adequately reflect the extent of losses suffered by flood-affected households. His demands have also included changes to the relief framework so that compensation can better cover damage to homes, agricultural land, businesses and other assets.
The Sivasagar MLA has accused both the Assam government and the Centre of not doing enough to address the impact of the floods. He has particularly criticised Prime Minister Narendra Modi over the absence of a visit to the affected areas of Upper Assam, according to his statements reported during the agitation.
The latest protest is part of a broader campaign by Raijor Dal over flood relief and rehabilitation. The party has previously raised demands for enhanced compensation and an independent investigation into the circumstances surrounding the flooding. Gogoi has also called for a CBI probe into the causes of the disaster and responsibility for the damage.
The agitation follows a series of programmes organised by Raijor Dal in flood-affected parts of Upper Assam. The party has been seeking greater financial assistance for affected residents and has argued that the existing relief system needs to be revised to account for the scale of losses.
Gogoi has also indicated that the protest movement will not end with Thursday’s hunger strike. According to his announcement, if the demands are not addressed, Raijor Dal plans to organise a larger protest in Guwahati on September 23.
The state government’s response to the demands and the outcome of the hunger strike are expected to determine the next course of the agitation.
