Raijor Dal leader Akhil Gogoi has called off his satyagraha in Assam after holding talks with state ministers over compensation and relief for flood-affected families. The decision followed discussions with ministers Keshab Mahanta and Pijush Hazarika at the protest site outside the Assam Legislative Assembly in Guwahati on October 15.
The Akhil Gogoi satyagraha began on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti. The Sivasagar MLA had launched the indefinite protest to demand adequate financial assistance for families affected by floods, particularly in Upper Assam. The discussions resulted in government assurances on several demands, including pending payments and further assessments of affected households.
Akhil Gogoi Satyagraha Ends After Ministerial Talks
The protest ended after Mahanta and Hazarika visited Gogoi and discussed his demands on behalf of the state government. The ministers said Chief Minister Himanta Biswa Sarma had agreed to address key concerns raised by the legislator.
According to reports, the government agreed to provide interim financial assistance to families identified in a list submitted by Raijor Dal. The discussions also addressed the need to identify families who may have been excluded from earlier assessments.
Gogoi had continued his agitation to press for government action on compensation and relief distribution. His demands focused on ensuring that eligible families received assistance without further delays.
The meeting marked an important development in the dispute. However, several demands will require further administrative action, including additional surveys and decisions on enhanced compensation.
Compensation Demands for Flood-Hit Families
Gogoi had demanded financial assistance for flood-affected families in Sivasagar, Charaideo, Jorhat and Golaghat districts. These districts in Upper Assam faced significant concerns over relief distribution following the floods.
His memorandum sought a one-time interim payment of Rs 15,000 for affected families in the four districts. He also demanded an additional Rs 10,000 for flood-hit families in Sivasagar and Charaideo.
Furthermore, Gogoi had called for compensation for families who suffered severe losses during the disaster. He argued that the existing assistance arrangements did not adequately address the needs of all affected households.
The MLA also sought action to ensure that families left out of the initial beneficiary lists received support. Therefore, the identification of eligible households remained a central issue during the discussions with the ministers.
Fresh Surveys to Identify Excluded Families
A major point of concern during the Akhil Gogoi satyagraha was the gap between the number of families identified by the government and the figure cited by the legislator.
Gogoi questioned the assessment process and maintained that more families needed assistance than the official survey had identified. He had argued that errors or omissions in the assessment could prevent deserving households from receiving compensation.
The government agreed to conduct further surveys to identify families that may have been excluded from the earlier lists. This process is expected to help officials reassess the extent of the damage and determine eligibility for additional assistance.
Meanwhile, the ministers addressed the demand for pending interim payments. Mahanta said providing Rs 15,000 to each of the 3,068 families on Raijor Dal’s list would require more than Rs 4.60 crore. He stated that the government had agreed to pay the amount to those listed families.
The additional Rs 10,000 payment, however, will depend on the outcome of a survey and a subsequent government decision.
High-Level Inquiry Into Assam Flood Disaster
Apart from compensation, Gogoi also demanded an inquiry into the causes and circumstances surrounding the floods. He had called for a Central Bureau of Investigation (CBI) probe into the disaster and related deaths.
However, the government announced plans for a high-level inquiry by an expert committee. Mahanta said the committee’s details would be announced soon.
The proposed inquiry represents a separate step from the compensation process. Its findings could help clarify questions surrounding the disaster, while relief measures remain focused on supporting affected families.
Gogoi had also raised concerns about the adequacy of financial assistance and the need for stronger support for households that suffered extensive damage. His demands highlighted the challenges involved in assessing losses and distributing relief across affected districts.
Relief Implementation Remains the Key Test
The end of the Akhil Gogoi satyagraha marks a shift from protest to negotiations over Assam’s flood relief measures. The immediate focus will now be on implementing the assurances given during the meeting.
Fresh surveys, payments to identified families and the proposed expert committee inquiry will remain important developments to watch. The government will also need to address concerns raised by families who believe they were excluded from earlier assessments.
For flood-affected residents, the effectiveness of these measures will depend on timely payments and fair identification of eligible households. Although the talks have eased the immediate confrontation, the implementation of the announced steps will determine how far the concerns raised during the agitation are resolved.
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