Himanta Biswa Sarma visits controversial Bethukandi; "CID will investigate the case from Guwahati"

Third visit in 10 days, chief minister of Assam Dr. Himanta Biswa Sarma has successfully managed to turn the wave towards him and his party. As he walked around and kept his arms on the shoulders of the ones in distress, they forgot their woes and celebrated the moment.

He visited GC College and served food to the people who had to seek refuge as their houses got inundated. He also distributed cheques to the next of kin of those who lost their lives. The chief minister reiterated that the deputy commissioner would submit the damage and loss reports by July 15 and the government would ensure quick disbursement of compensation.

The highlight of CM’s visit to Silchar was his trip to the controversial Bethukandi. He walked into the area where the embankment was breached. Hundreds of locals gathered around him and started asking for selfies. “Yes, we will click selfies but before that, you need to tell me who are those people who have cut the embankment due to which lakhs of people had to suffer so vigorously,” the CM said to the locals.

He stopped in areas and showed a video to the locals. “Who is this man who filmed the video? Find it out for me,” he said to the locals. He then went to the ground zero and inspected the work in progress. The chief minister has asked the DC to rope in more hands and contractors to get the work done.

After his visit, he met the press. “A case has been registered by the CID in Guwahati. The investigation of the matter will be done in Guwahati under the leadership of ADGP CID. A special task force will monitor the investigation. All suspects will be traced and escorted to Guwahati, statements will be recorded in Guwahati. I can assure the people that strict action will be taken against those who are behind damaging the embankment,” said chief minister Sarma during his visit to Silchar.

He informed that six individuals have been identified so far as the culprits in damaging the embankment. “By doing various arguments and peddling theories, no one will manage to create an escape route for the culprits. Action will be taken as per law and strict action will be taken. Six have been identified so far, but the investigation will continue and more details will emerge,” said the CM.

In his briefing, he also mentioned that electricity has been restored in 90% of the places. The chief minister said that the team has held a meeting today to find out ways to reach out to the last mile in the 10% areas where they could not so far. Pumps are being used to drain the water away from residential areas, however, the biggest challenge according to the chief minister is to slush the sewage. The drains have overflowed into the roads and houses of people and that needs to be flushed out.

“Silchar Municipality Board will have to work relentlessly to flush out the remains. If necessary, we will send people from the Guwahati Municipal Corporation as well,” said the CM.

Overall, he maintained that the flood condition has improved leaps and bounds compared to what he had seen nine days back during his first visit.