TEZPUR, Nov 2 - The severe erosion caused by the Jiabharali river has taken a serious turn at Singitoli and Rajgarh villages of Singitoli GP under Rangapara LAC in Sonitpur district in the last couple of days, rendering many farmer families homeless.
Erosion by Jiabharali river has been a major problem for the villagers over the last many years. But it took a serious turn from 1997. The victims have alleged that despite the issue being known to the agencies concerned, the then State Government did nothing in the name of mitigating the vexed problem. More than 50 villages under Rangapara and Tezpur LACs are bearing the brunt of the problem.
The Jiabharali has already eroded half of Rajgarh, Singitoli (B) and Koroibari villages rendering the residents homeless. Moreover, in the last few days, more than 200 bighas of cropland including matured paddy fields have been affected. People are taking shelter in the char areas and government lands. However, more than 1000 people infuriated by the lack of any Government initiative to control erosion by the river came out to the banks of the river Jiabharali on Monday and raised their voice against the Government�s failure to check the long pending issue.
They also blamed the present BJP Government for its failure to deal with the issue sincerely. Coming down heavily on the indifferent attitude of the local MLA of Rangapara LAC-cum-State Cabinet Minister Pallab Lochan Das towards the burning issue, the victims lamented that though the BJP Government came to the power with the commitment of delivering transparent governance and a change for the common people, this has not been witnessed on the ground. The victims have threatened to launch a massive movement against the Government if the latter fails to address their problems immediately.
