DIMAPUR, JUL 31 (NPN): Konyak Union (KU) has strongly refuted allegations linking the recent floods in parts of Assam to a purported hydroelectric dam and alleged illegal mining activities in Mon district, describing the claims as “baseless, misleading and without any factual foundation.”
In a press release, KU referred to a purported video circulating on social media and reports quoting Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi and Assamese Youth Forum general secretary Akash Saikia, who allegedly attributed the flooding to the release of water from a “Dikhu Hydro Electric Project” and illegal mining in Naginimora.
KU clarified that no hydroelectric dam or reservoir exists in Mon district, stating that the proposed Dikhu Hydro Electric Project remained only a proposal listed by the Central Electricity Authority and has neither been constructed nor commissioned.
The union also rejected allegations linking the floods to reported illegal gold mining in Naginimora, saying its field assessment found no evidence to support the claim.
According to KU, the flooding originated in the higher hill ranges of Mon district following exceptionally heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like downpours, which triggered widespread landslides, flash floods and overflowing rivers before affecting Naginimora and Tizit.
Calling the allegations “irresponsible and insensitive,” KU said they came at a time when Mon district was recovering from one of its worst natural disasters in recent history. It noted that the July 19-20 disaster claimed 11 lives, displaced more than 650 families, destroyed homes, schools, agricultural fields and infrastructure, and severely disrupted road connectivity, electricity and communication.
The union urged public representatives and organisations to verify facts before making statements that could create misunderstanding or strain the longstanding ties between the people of Nagaland and Assam.
Stressing that natural disasters should not be politicised, KU said any investigation into the causes of flooding should be based on scientific assessments by competent authorities rather than speculation.
It also cautioned that those responsible for spreading misinformation could be held accountable under the law if such claims lead to untoward incidents.
The union appealed to the media and the public to refrain from circulating unverified information and reaffirmed its commitment to preserving peace and the cordial relationship between the neighbouring states.
It may be recalled that Assam chief minister Himanta Biswa Sarma on July 24 clarified that the India Meteorological Department (IMD) has not reported any cloudburst in Nagaland, revising his earlier remarks in which he had linked the devastating floods in parts of Upper Assam to a cloudburst in the neighbouring state.
The clarification comes days after Sarma, in an exclusive interaction with the NDTV network, had said that a cloudburst in parts of Nagaland had caused the worst flooding in three districts of Assam. He had then stated that the sudden surge of water from Nagaland inundated Sivasagar, Charaideo and another affected district, while several other districts experienced partial flooding.
Sarma said that although there was no official confirmation of a cloudburst, several districts of Nagaland and adjoining parts of Upper Assam witnessed exceptionally heavy rainfall during July, with some areas recording nearly 500 per cent above-normal rainfall.
He said Charaideo district received around 490 per cent above-normal rainfall, while Nagaland’s Mon, Mokokchung and Wokha districts recorded rainfall between 435 and 490 per cent above the seasonal average.
