Erosion Prevention Measures Progressing Slowly in Dibrugarh: 12-Hour Hunger Strike by AASU, Dibrugarh
M. Hashim Ali,Dibrugarh,Rongili Barta- The measures to prevent riverbank erosion in Dibrugarh are progressing at a very slow pace. Although erosion prevention work along the Brahmaputra River was supposed to be completed before the onset of the monsoon, the sluggish implementation has left the residents of the city deeply worried. As a result, today (19-01-26), the Dibrugarh Students’ Union staged a strong protest expressing their resentment against the Water Resources Department of Dibrugarh. The Students’ Union carried out a protest hunger strike program from around 6:00 a.m. to 6:00 p.m. near the National Highway at Phulbagan in Dibrugarh city. The Water Resources Department has been carrying out erosion prevention work using geo-bags from Maijan to Bogibeel in Dibrugarh. However, due to the extremely slow pace of the ongoing work, and if the preventive measures are not completed before the monsoon season, it is almost certain that the city will face severe danger and threat.Meanwhile, under the leadership of Dibrugarh Students’ Union President Tanuj Haloi and General Secretary Papu Saikia, the protesters expressed strong dissatisfaction with the Water Resources Department. They demanded that the concerned contractors, officials, and the department adopt advanced technology and speed up the erosion prevention measures.Recently, while the installation of geo-bags and porcupine structures was underway to prevent erosion, a large portion of land near the city was washed away by the Brahmaputra River. It is reported that nearly one hundred meters of land has already been swallowed by the river. If this erosion is not controlled immediately, it is almost certain that the historic city of Dibrugarh will be severely affected and engulfed by the Brahmaputra.On the other hand, Dibrugarh Students’ Union General Secretary Papu Saikia strongly criticized Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, stating that every time the minister visits the erosion-affected areas, he announces new packages. However, till date, no effective modern method has been implemented to control the erosion problem in Dibrugarh.The Students’ Union further stated that they are ready to cooperate with the Water Resources Department in erosion prevention work, but warned that if negligence continues, they will launch more intense protests against the department.Later in the day, Ratul Buragohain, General Secretary of the Greater Dibrugarh Press Club, ended the hunger strike program by offering sweets to the protesting members. In his speech, Ratul Buragohain said that if the erosion in Dibrugarh is not controlled, the map of the city itself may change. He emphasized that only scientific and modern methods can ensure the safety and security of Dibrugarh city.He further mentioned that every year, not only during the monsoon but even in winter, the people of Dibrugarh spend sleepless nights due to the fear of erosion. Although Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika, local MP and Union Minister Sarbananda Sonowal, and Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma have visited the erosion-affected areas several times, no permanent solution using advanced technology has been implemented. Instead, the issue has been limited only to porcupine structures and geo-bags, resulting in wastage of public money and pushing the people of Dibrugarh towards greater risk.He expressed concern that in the upcoming monsoon season, the erosion caused by the Brahmaputra will pose an even greater challenge for the residents of Dibrugarh.During the program, Dibrugarh District Students’ Union President Rupjyoti Borthakur raised the issue that no concerned official was present during the 12-hour protest program. He reacted strongly, stating that the administration fails to understand the language of peaceful democratic movements. He warned that stronger and more aggressive protest programs would be undertaken in the near future.Many student union leaders, along with school and college students, including former student leader Dilip Singh, participated in the hunger strike program.