BARPETA, Sept 27 - The Gobardhana anchalik committees of the All Assam Students� Union (AASU) and the All Koch Rajbongshi Students� Union formed a human chain recently demanding checking of unabated erosion by the Beki river.
Led by the local leaders of both the organisations, the people from all walks of life joined the human chain formed on the bank of Beki river. Sanjib Kumar Das and Pranab Barman, president and secretary respectively of Barpeta subdivision of AASU also joined the protest chain.
The gathering demanded adoption of modern scientific methods to check erosion and timely grant of adequate relief and rehabilitation to the people affected by erosion. They condemned the negligence and indifference of the respective Government departments towards the grave problem.
It must be mentioned here that erosion by the Beki has taken a serious turn in the Gobardhana area of the district since the last few years. Hundreds of dwelling houses, orchards and thousands of acres of fertile land have been eroded by the turbulent flood waters of the Beki river in recent times. As a result, the economy of this area has suffered a lot.
For example, a family who managed to eke out a comfortable living a few years back on the strength of horticulture and agriculture has been compelled to spend life in abject penury today. Besides, the Barpeta Road-Bansbari Road leading to the World Heritage Site Manas National Park-cum-Tiger Project is facing threat due to unabated erosion in certain portions.
Though the affected people have been demanding adoption of anti-erosion measures to save this area from the onslaught of the Beki river, the authorities have till date turned a blind eye to the plight of the flood-hit people.
