STAFF REPORTER
GUWAHATI: The Gauhati High Court has appointed the District Judge of Golaghat to conduct an enquiry into the causes and effects of a flood which occurred during incessant rainfall in the Golaghat district of the State on July 26 and July 27, 2018.
The enquiry has been ordered in response to a Public Interest Litigation (PIL) filed by one Bobrubahan Saikia, a resident of Jugibari village in the Golaghat district. Saikia has alleged in his petition that the flood had occurred due to the sudden release of water at the Doyang Hydro-Electric Project, located in the Wokha district of Nagaland. The project is being operated under the North Eastern Electric Power Corporation Limited (NEEPCO) on the river Doyang.
The court noted that the flood led to the loss of properties owned by the residents of the villages situated on the riverbank. However, the court further observed, "there are allegations and counter-allegations" regarding the actual cause of the flood.
As such, it said, "In order to arrive at the truth, we appoint the District Judge, Golaghat, to conduct an enquiry into the matter and submit a report before this court within a period of 90 days. While conducting the enquiry, the District Judge, Golaghat, would be at liberty to take the statements of the affected persons and also to take help from the concerned authorities, such as the Central Water Authority, etc.
"The petitioner and the NEEPCO authority will be at liberty to place their documents before the District Judge, Golaghat."
Hearing of the matter will resume on June 17 next.
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