Guwahati, 15 October (HS): Raijor Dal MLA Akhil Gogoi on Thursday called off his 14-day satyagraha demanding relief and compensation for flood-affected people in Assam following discussions with state ministers Pijush Hazarika and Keshab Mahanta.

The two ministers visited the protest site at the Assam Legislative Assembly complex and held discussions with Gogoi on the issues raised by him regarding assistance to flood-hit families. He subsequently announced the withdrawal of his agitation. However, details of the discussions and whether the government gave any specific assurance were not immediately available.

Gogoi had launched an indefinite satyagraha on October 2, coinciding with Gandhi Jayanti, demanding full compensation for flood-affected families and action on other disaster-related issues. He had maintained that he would withdraw the agitation if the government ensured adequate compensation for more than two lakh affected families.

According to Gogoi, the government's assessment had identified around 55,000 affected families, whereas more than two lakh families actually required assistance. He questioned the survey process and alleged discrepancies in the assessment of flood damage.

At a press conference earlier, Gogoi had said the government's figure of 55,000 affected families was misleading, claiming that the actual number exceeded two lakh.

The Raijor Dal leader had also challenged the BJP to launch a democratic movement demanding relief and compensation for every flood-affected family, saying he would support such an initiative.

Gogoi had described the Centre's Rs 1,200-crore assistance announced for Assam as inadequate to compensate for flood-related losses. He also accused the state government of failing to effectively present the severity of the flood situation before the Centre.

Additionally, he criticised state ministers Sushanta Borgohain, Mayur Borgohain and Dharmeswar Konwar over their handling of the flood situation. Gogoi had further claimed that Rs 20 crore contributed by the Oil and Natural Gas Corporation (ONGC) had not yet been released from the Chief Minister's Relief Fund.---------

Hindusthan Samachar / Sriprakash