BONGAIGAON, May 3 � Agitated locals and victims of river erosion at Sidalsati in Bongaigaon district blocked National Highway-31 at around 10 am on Saturday in protest against eviction of flood-affected families who had been taking shelter on the dam of Balajani-Chechapani.
The administration at North Salmara sub-division ordered the encroachers to leave the dam by Saturday. But the victims failed to follow the order. They alleged that without rehabilitation they cannot move anywhere in this rainy season.
On the other hand, Civil SDO JVS Subramaniam told the locals that to repair the dam, eviction is necessary as the Water Resource department is ready to start their work, the SDO clarified.
People alleged that during the entire winter season the department lay inert and during rainy the season they come for work only to misappropriate Government funds.Forceful clearance of the blockade by the police sparked reaction in the locality.
