Guwahati: Raijor Dal chief and Sivasagar MLA Akhil Gogoi on Wednesday suspended his 14-day satyagraha outside the Assam Legislative Assembly after discussions with state ministers Keshab Mahanta and Pijush Hazarika, who assured him that the government would address demands for relief and compensation for flood-affected families in Upper Assam.

The protest, which began on October 2, was aimed at securing adequate compensation for flood-hit families in Sivasagar, Charaideo and other affected districts. Gogoi, however, clarified that the agitation had only been suspended and could be resumed if the government failed to honour its commitments.

Addressing a press conference after the meeting, Gogoi said the government had initiated the process of providing assistance to 57,000 affected families. He added that the issue of the pending Rs 15,000 flood relief payment had been resolved, with almost all eligible beneficiaries having received the amount.

The government has also agreed to conduct fresh surveys and prepare a second list of beneficiaries to include families left out of the initial assessment. Gogoi said several flood-affected households, particularly in Sivasagar, had not been covered by the first survey and would need to be assessed separately.

Compensation for damaged houses, infrastructure

Gogoi said the government had assured financial assistance of Rs 5.70 lakh to families whose houses were completely destroyed by the floods. The amount, however, falls short of his demand for Rs 10 lakh per affected family.

The ministers also assured him that damage to roads and other infrastructure would be addressed. Gogoi said he had already submitted a list of damaged roads to the authorities and that reconstruction could begin once the necessary funds were released.

During the discussions, the MLA also urged the government to double the financial assistance provided under the Orunodoi scheme for flood-affected families. He called for government housing for people whose homes had been completely destroyed.

Gogoi had additionally demanded a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into deaths and other issues linked to the floods. The state government, however, opted for a high-level inquiry instead.

He said the government would ultimately be judged on whether its assurances resulted in tangible assistance for affected families.

Seeds and saplings for affected farmers

Meanwhile, Hazarika announced that coconut and areca nut saplings would be distributed among affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts.

The government will also provide seeds for Rabi crops to help farmers resume agricultural activities disrupted by the floods.

During the meeting, Hazarika expressed displeasure over the wording of a memorandum submitted by Gogoi, which alleged that officials in Dispur were working in air-conditioned rooms while flood-affected residents continued to live in temporary shelters.

Gogoi warns of fresh agitation

Gogoi reiterated that suspending the protest did not mean the movement had ended. He warned that another agitation would be launched if the government failed to fulfil its commitments.

“Our movement has not ended completely. It has only been suspended. If the government fails to fulfil its promises, we will be forced to launch another agitation,” he said.

He also appealed to flood-affected residents who had been protesting in Sivasagar to suspend their agitation in view of the assurances given by the government.

The outcome of the discussions is expected to be assessed through the government’s implementation of the promised relief measures, fresh beneficiary surveys and reconstruction work in the flood-affected districts.