DIBRUGARH, July 19 � The Brahmaputra and its tributary, Burhidehing have swallowed large chunks of land in different parts of the district, destroying homes and agricultural land and posing a threat to dykes. At least eight houses were washed away by the Brahmaputra near Koilaghat here today, while many hectares of land are being eroded by the Burhidehing at Sassani and Mancotta Khanikar mouza.
The villagers settled along the banks of the Burhidehing at Mancotta Khanikar mouza are in panic as the river has eroded a large plot of agricultural land in the area and is advancing towards the dykes. Earlier, the houses belonging to at least 12 families were destroyed by the river. The villagers asked why the Government was not taking any steps to check the unabated erosion despite being aware of the plight of the villagers in the erosion-prone area.
The Brahmaputra and its tributaries have been swallowing hectares of agricultural land in alarming proportions, pushing farmers towards penury and sheer misery. Erosion in the same magnitude has also been reported in Rohmoria and Sassani areas of the district. The district administration is aware of the calamity, but is pretending to be ignorant, alleged several local organisations.
The district unit of the Scheduled Caste Students� Union today staged a demonstration in protest against the alleged lack of concern of the district administration towards the flood and erosion-affected people of the district. The organisation demanded that the Government should initiate immediate steps to rehabilitate the flood and erosion-affected families and adopt scientific methods to check erosion.
