The Konyak Union (KU) has rejected allegations that the ongoing floods in parts of Assam were caused by the release of water from a purported “Dikhu Hydro Electric Project” or dam in Mon district, Nagaland, or by alleged illegal coal mining activities in the Naginimora area.
In a press clarification issued on Friday, the KU said its attention had been drawn to a video circulating on social media and reports in a section of the media in which Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi and Assamese Youth Forum general secretary Akash Saikia allegedly attributed the flooding to the two factors.
The Union categorically stated that no hydroelectric dam or reservoir exists in Mon district. It said the Dikhu Hydro Electric Project remains only a proposed project listed by the Central Electricity Authority and has neither been constructed nor commissioned.
“Therefore, the allegation that floodwaters were released from a dam from Dikhu is entirely baseless, misleading and without any factual foundation,” the KU said.
On the alleged link between flooding and illegal coal mining in Naginimora, the KU said its field assessment and available information had found no evidence to support the claim. It said the flooding did not originate from the Naginimora mining area but began in the higher hill ranges of Mon following exceptionally heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like downpours.
According to the KU, the rainfall triggered widespread landslides, flash floods and overflowing of rivers and streams across several parts of the district before the flooding eventually affected Naginimora and Tizit.
The KU said Mon had suffered one of its worst natural disasters in recent history following unprecedented rainfall on July 19 and 20. The calamity claimed 11 lives, destroyed homes, schools, shops, agricultural fields, tea gardens, businesses and livestock, displaced more than 650 families and severely disrupted road, electricity and communication networks.
Calling the allegations “irresponsible and insensitive”, the KU urged public representatives and organisations to verify facts before making statements that could create misunderstanding and disharmony between Assam and Nagaland.
The Union maintained that natural disasters should not be politicised and called for any investigation into the flooding to be based on credible technical assessments by competent authorities and expert agencies.
It also appealed to the media and public to refrain from circulating unverified claims, stressing its commitment to preserving the long-standing cordial relationship between the people of Assam and Nagaland.