ABSU blames mining for Upper Assam floods, seeks rehabilitation

KOKRAJHAR, August 24, 2026 — The All Bodo Students’ Union (ABSU) has alleged that uncontrolled stone and sand mining along the Dikhow River and coal mining in the hills of Nagaland contributed to the devastating floods in Upper Assam, particularly in Sivasagar district.

ABSU president Kwrwmdao Wary, who led the organisation’s relief team, made the allegation at a press conference in Kokrajhar on Sunday. The relief team spent nine days assisting 209 families in nine flood-affected villages of Sivasagar district, including removing mud from houses, repairing damaged homes and helping affected farmers replant paddy in their fields.

Wary said more than 150 ABSU members from 15 districts of Assam participated in relief and humanitarian activities in flood-affected areas of Upper Assam.

He urged the Central and Assam governments to provide adequate compensation and rehabilitate flood-affected families in Upper Assam.

Wary alleged that large-scale commercial mining of stone and sand in the Dikhow River, along with coal mining in Nagaland, had contributed to the severity of the disaster. Citing observations made by the relief team during its field visits, he called for preventive policies and scientific measures by the Central and state governments to prevent similar disasters in the future.

ABSU also demanded adequate relief, rehabilitation and reconstruction assistance for flood-affected people in Sivasagar and Charaideo districts. The organisation called for scientific assessments of vulnerable areas before rehabilitation, noting that many affected families had suffered severe economic losses.

Wary said the Assam government should adopt a humanitarian approach and implement long-term rehabilitation programmes for flood-affected families.

“Our 150 volunteers worked continuously for nine days in tough conditions, de-silting and restoring 209 homes in Nazira Circle. However, the scale of destruction is beyond community-led relief alone,” Wary said.

“With crops completely destroyed, thousands face starvation and homelessness. We strongly appeal to both the state and Central governments to immediately undertake reconstruction projects and ensure guaranteed ration supplies for at least six months to prevent further humanitarian distress,” he added.

Wary also called for proper planning and scientific measures in the downstream areas of the Dikhow River to prevent such devastating floods in the future.