Devastating floods in Upper Assam are man-made; De

Devastating floods in Upper Assam are man-made; Debabrata Saikia files PIL in High Court seeking justice

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Devastating floods in Upper Assam are man-made; Debabrata Saikia files PIL in High Court seeking justice

August 27

13:16 2026

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by indadmin

By Dalim Phukan

Guwahati/Assam, Aug 27: Former Nazira MLA Debabrata Saikia, has filed a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) in the Gauhati High Court regarding the recent devastating man-made floods in Upper Assam. The Chief Justice of the Gauhati High Court has admitted the petition for hearing and directed the state government to submit its response by September 3.

In the petition, Debabrata Saikia stated that the unprecedented flood situation in Sivasagar, Charaideo, and Jorhat districts is not a natural disaster, but the direct result of rampant illegal mining patronized by the government along the Dikhow river and its tributaries, coupled with gross governmental negligence. He alleged that despite repeated warnings over an extended period, the government protected the mining mafia and pushed the public into a catastrophic disaster.

To secure justice and safety for the people, Saikia placed several key demands before the court. He sought an immediate and permanent halt to all illegal mining in the Dikhow and its tributaries, along with the prompt constitution of a ‘Mining Task Force Battalion’ in accordance with earlier High Court directives.

Additionally, he demanded the formation of a high-powered inquiry committee headed by a retired judge to uncover the truth, the formulation of a clear scientific policy or protocol regarding dam water release, and the filing of criminal cases against guilty individuals and responsible government officials. The petition also urged the state to provide adequate compensation of at least ₹10 lakh to every devastated family on the model of Himachal Pradesh, rather than offering nominal relief. Following the admission of the petition, Saikia asserted that this fight for justice will continue relentlessly to protect the lives, property, and future of the people of Assam.