Flood Victims Allege They Were Denied Shelter at DNNK, Block Central Road in Silchar, “Being Accommodated In Other Institution”: Responds DC Cachar

In the wake of rising floodwaters from the Barak River, residents of Silchar’s Kalibarichar area found themselves grappling with the dual challenge of displacement and denial of refuge. As the river breached its danger level earlier today at 2:40 PM, inundating low-lying regions along its banks, a significant number of individuals sought refuge at DNNK School. They were denied refuge there as the school has a scheduled exam tomorrow. Later the District Administration accommodated them to other institutes in the area.

In response to this rejection, the flood victims took to blocking Central Road, impeding traffic flow and drawing attention to their plight. Among them were distressed mothers, echoing a sentiment of desperation, they said, “Where are we supposed to go with our children? Should we just jump into the Barak River and let it carry us away with the flood?”

Another protestor said, “They (DNNK School Administration) pushed us out of the school, calling us uneducated. What has education to do with refugee? We went there because our homes are flooded”. Locals report that over 7,000 people have been adversely affected by the flooding, amplifying the urgency of their situation. Local authorities, including magistrates from the District Administration, intervened to address the escalating tensions.

After engaging with the affected community, the administration managed to diffuse the unrest and disperse the protesters. “As DNNK School has examinations scheduled tomorrow, they are being accommodated in Cachar College and Govt. Girls School”, Rohan Kumar Jha told Barak Bulletin.