GUWAHATI: Residents of Rukminigaon on Wednesday, July 10, staged a protest against persistent flooding in their area. The protest, which began around 9 AM, saw about a 300-strong diverse group of community members come together to demand immediate action from the authorities.
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Talking to GPlus, Mukut Nath, popularly known as the 'boat man' of Rukminigaon, said, "We have submitted two memorandums—one to the Assam Chief Minister and another to the district administration. We hope this really works,"
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Another resident, who has been living in Rukminigaon for more than 10 years, said, "We are tired of this issue, so we had to protest at last."
The memorandum to the district administration highlighted the long-standing issues faced by the community. "For several years now, our neighborhoods have faced the devastating consequences of waterlogging during the monsoon season. The menace has been such that the problem emerges and persists not only during the days when it rains but continues its wrath during the non-rainy days as well. The situation has escalated to the point where it poses a serious risk to the lives of our children, elderly residents, and everyone in between," the memorandum read.
It further detailed the impact of the flooding: "Homes are submerged, roads impassable, and basic amenities disrupted. It is heartbreaking to witness families struggling to cope with these conditions year after year."
A striking aspect of the protesters' plea was the proximity of Rukminigaon and Rukmininagar to key governmental offices. "What makes this situation even more distressing is that Rukminigaon and Rukmininagar are located in close proximity to the Assam Secretariat and the residences of our esteemed representatives in the Assam Assembly. Despite the explicit and sustaining woeful situation, our pleas for a permanent resolve have fallen on deaf ears."
The memorandum criticised the notion of a "Smart City," calling it a "cruel irony" when residents are left dealing with such severe flooding. "The very concept of a 'Smart City' seems like a cruel irony when our streets resemble rivers and our homes are islands in a sea of water."
The community's letter also highlighted the toll on the indigenous population: "The indigenous people who have lived here for generations are bearing the brunt of this neglect. Their resilience and patience have been tested, and yet they continue to endure. Their homes, their livelihoods, and their dignity are at stake."
In their appeal to Assam's Chief Minister, Himanta Biswa Sarma, the residents emphasised the urgent need for action. "Hon'ble Chief Minister, we cannot afford to wait any longer. Our children deserve a future free from fear of floods, and our elders deserve dignity in their twilight years."
The letter concluded with a request: "We therefore, most humbly urge you to visit the affected Rukminigaon and Rukmininagar areas personally, witness the situation firsthand, and take decisive steps to address this pressing issue. Let us pledge to transform our city into a place where no one fears the rains, where every home stands strong, where every life is respected, and where compassion prevails over the hierarchical system."
