HT Correspondent
MARGHERITA, July 3: Since the torrential rainfall in the state over the past week, floods have wreaked havoc across the state. Unfortunately, Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma and Margherita sub divisional officer (civil) have not yet visited Khagoripathar village, one of the worst flood-affected areas in the 83rd Margherita constituency of Tinsukia district.
“The ongoing floods have brought significant challenges to our lives as we find shelter in a local school. Our homes and agricultural lands have been devastated. The village leader visited us once and provided some rice. We urgently need government assistance to address all aspects of our situation. The lack of boats is exacerbating our difficulties,” said one local resident.
Khagoripathar village, under Bhittorpowai Gaon Panchayat of Margherita’s 83rd constituency, is located 10 kilometers away from Margherita headquarters. It is a backward village with poor road conditions, no safe drinking water supply, no health center, no drainage system, no agricultural facilities, and only one Khagoripathar LP School serving a population of over 1000.
Tea Tribes/Adivasi communities, Gorkhas, and Assamese have lived in Khagoripathar village for centuries under deplorable conditions.
On Wednesday, the Assam Tea Tribes Student Association (ATTSA) Margherita branch committee, with assistance from Hindustan Oil Exploration Limited, visited Khagoripathar village and distributed food items to the flood-affected people.
“It is very unfortunate that after the flood, Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma and Margherita sub divisional officer (civil) have not visited here, despite it being one of the most flood-affected areas in the 83rd Margherita constituency. Due to the flood, many diseases have emerged, and during this difficult time, everyone except the state government has visited Khagoripathar village and provided assistance according to their capabilities,” said a flood-affected woman.
“More than 1000 bighas of agricultural land have been submerged, ruining our efforts,” lamented another flood-affected resident of Khagoripathar village.
Pranjal Baraik, joint publicity secretary of ATTSA Central Executive Committee, expressed disappointment, stating, “It is regrettable that Margherita MLA Bhaskar Sharma and Margherita sub divisional officer (civil) have not found time to visit Khagoripathar village, which is one of the backward villages in the 83rd Margherita constituency of Tinsukia district.”
