Peaceful eviction, dyke work begins at Bethukandi

A CORRESPONDENT

SILCHAR: As the rainy season inches forwards, the administration has swung into action to repair as well as reconstruct the much talked about Bethukandi dyke which was breached last year causing massive inundation of entire Silchar town. On Saturday, the district administration began evicting at least 50 families in the Madhurbond area to construct the diversion dyke at Bethukandi. The entire eviction drive was peaceful as the residents were seen dismantling their homes on their own. A large posse of security personnel was deployed but as there was virtually no resistance from the local residents, the security force was not required act. On Sunday too, people of Madhurbond and Bethukandi were busy in readying their new homes a few yards back from the proposed diversion dyke.

The Water Resource department has already started the Rs-56 crore work for the construction of new dyke and repairing of a number of damaged dykes. Though the eviction was peaceful as there was no physical resistance, local people had their version of resentment. The locals alleged that they were rightful dwellers as they had been paying taxes for decades. The same district administration had issued permission for construction of their homes. They welcomed the move by the government to develop the flood-prone area but at the same time argued for compensation as they were not illegal encroachers.

Last year, Silchar saw the worst ever flood following the breach of a few outdated dykes. The district administration said that some miscreants had damaged the dyke. Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma alleged it was a man-made disaster. The State Government announced a big project for complete renovation and construction of dykes at the embankment of the Barak River. But during the entire winter season there was virtually no movement towards the work. Local pressure groups and media raised the question on inaction of the administration as well as the public representatives.

MP Dr Rajdeep Roy admitted that the delay in starting the work was unfortunate. State Water Resources Minister Pijush Hazarika hit back at Dr Roy alleging that the Silchar MP had not even written a single letter to his department seeking expedition of the work. Meanwhile, at the instruction of the Chief Minister, the process ultimately started to roll on as the Chief Engineer Borshing Rongpi rushed to Silchar to personally inspect the site. The work order which was held up for last few months was ultimately released.

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