Former ULFA Members Launch Paddy Seedling Drive for Flood-Hit Farmers

GUWAHATI, July 26, 2026 — The All Assam Former ULFA Coordinating Committee has announced a relief initiative to help flood-affected farmers in Upper Assam by supplying paddy seedlings to cultivators in the worst-hit districts of Charaideo and Sivasagar.

The decision was taken at the organisation's executive committee meeting held on Sunday at the Joymoti Auditorium in Khowang Chariali, Dibrugarh.

Addressing the meeting, former ULFA leader Jiten Dutta said the undivided Dibrugarh-Tinsukia district committee of the organisation would cultivate paddy seedlings on 40 bighas of land to support farmers who lost their crops in the recent floods.

Dutta said sowing would begin on Monday at Jokai in Dibrugarh. He said the initiative aims to help affected farmers resume cultivation while encouraging self-reliance among the younger generation.

"We will always stand by the people during times of crisis and help farmers restart cultivation by supplying paddy seedlings," Dutta said.

Referring to the recent floods in Charaideo, Sivasagar and Jorhat, Dutta alleged that environmental degradation caused by coal mining in the hill regions had worsened the disaster. He claimed that while a few individuals had profited from mining, thousands of people were now bearing the consequences of severe floods.

He further warned that Margherita, Digboi and Ledo could face similar flood disasters if unchecked coal mining continued and called for a public movement against environmentally destructive mining practices, saying, "Nature does not forgive."

Dutta also said that despite facing financial hardship, former ULFA members would mobilise their own resources to assist flood victims and support farmers in restoring agricultural activities.

The announcement comes as several districts in Upper Assam continue to recover from one of the worst flood spells in recent years, which caused widespread damage to crops, homes and infrastructure.