Nazira meet seeks permanent solution to Upper Assam floods

NAZIRA, August 24, 2026 — A major citizens’ meeting bringing together political parties, student and youth organisations, civil society groups, intellectuals and social organisations was held at the MC Club in Nazira on Sunday, where an eight-point resolution was unanimously adopted seeking a permanent and scientific solution to the recurring flood crisis in Upper Assam.

The meeting was organised against the backdrop of the devastating floods that recently affected large parts of Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and adjoining areas. Participants stressed the need for a long-term strategy to address the recurring crisis rather than relying solely on temporary relief and rehabilitation measures.

The meeting was chaired by senior Gauhati High Court advocate Shantanu Barthakur and began with a welcome address by convenor Debang Sourav Gogoi.

Speakers maintained that the recurring flood crisis could not be addressed through short-term relief measures alone. They called for an independent assessment of the hydrological, environmental, infrastructural and socio-economic factors contributing to the floods, followed by scientifically planned preventive measures.

Former Assam Assembly Leader of Opposition Debabrata Saikia, Assam Jatiya Parishad president Lurinjyoti Gogoi, Raijor Dal general secretary Dhairya Konwar, CPI(ML) state secretary Vivek Das, sociologist Banjit Hussain, Dibrugarh University associate professor Koustav Deka, Devi Charan Barua College lecturer Juri Barua, research scholar Tridiv Bhagawati, researcher Ranjita Bania and Jorhat-based advocate Hemen Bora addressed the gathering.

Representatives of several organisations, including the CPI, CPI(ML), All Assam Adivasi Students’ Association, Jorhat civil society groups, Sammilita Nagarik Samaj, Assam Jatiyatabadi Yuva Chhatra Parishad and Bir Lachit Sena, also participated in the meeting.

Co-convenor Kanak Gogoi delivered the concluding address.

Eight-point resolution

The resolution adopted at the meeting called for:

1. An independent study into the causes of the floods, free from political interference and involving researchers, economists and citizens, to examine the hydrological, environmental, infrastructural and socio-economic factors behind the recurring crisis.

2. Steps by the Central and state governments to declare the unprecedented flood situation in Upper Assam a “national disaster.”

3. The establishment of a high-level Assam-Nagaland coordination mechanism for joint watershed management and flood-control measures.

4. Formation of a coordination committee comprising experts and concerned citizens to work on long-term flood mitigation and environmental protection.

5. Local procurement of reconstruction materials and services from local vendors, self-help groups and indigenous businesses to support post-flood recovery and help revive the regional economy.

6. Protection of river basins, reduction of plastic use and promotion of traditional flood-resistant architectural practices as part of a broader environmental strategy.

7. Legal action over alleged poor-quality embankment construction and infrastructure failures, with authorities and others found responsible being held accountable.

8. Widespread public awareness campaigns followed by a large citizens’ convention, bringing together civil society groups, social organisations and people from across the affected region.

The organisers said the resolution would serve as the basis for a broader public movement seeking a sustainable solution to the recurring flood crisis in Upper Assam.

They also announced that a large-scale public convention involving citizens and organisations from across the region would be held shortly.

The convenor committee thanked the people and media organisations for their support and cooperation in making the citizens’ meeting successful.