Kohima: The Konyak Union has strongly refuted allegations linking the recent floods in parts of Assam to the release of water from a purported hydroelectric dam in Nagaland’s Mon district or to alleged illegal coal mining activities in the Naginimora area, describing the claims as “baseless” and unsupported by facts.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Union said it was responding to a video circulating on social media and reports carried by a section of the media in which Assam MLA Akhil Gogoi and Assamese Youth Forum general secretary Akash Saikia allegedly attributed the flooding to the release of water from the so-called “Dikhu Hydro Electric Project” and to illegal coal mining in Mon district.
The Union clarified that no hydroelectric dam or reservoir exists in Mon district.
It said the Dikhu Hydro Electric Project remains only a proposed project listed by the Central Electricity Authority (CEA) and has neither been constructed nor commissioned.
“Therefore, the allegation that floodwaters were released from a dam from Dikhu is entirely baseless, misleading and without any factual foundation,” the statement said.
Responding to allegations linking the floods to illegal coal mining in the Naginimora area, the Union said its field assessment and available information found no evidence to support such claims.
According to the Union, the flooding originated in the higher hill ranges of Mon district following exceptionally heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like downpours, which triggered widespread landslides, flash floods and overflowing rivers and streams across several parts of the district before eventually affecting Naginimora and Tizit.
It noted that it is incorrect to attribute the present flood situation to the alleged illegal coal mining activities in Naginimora.
The organisation said the allegations were particularly unfortunate at a time when Mon district was recovering from one of the worst natural disasters in its recent history.
It noted that the heavy rainfall and cloudburst-like events on July 19 and 20 triggered devastating landslides, mudslides and flash floods across the district, claiming 11 lives, displacing more than 650 families and causing extensive damage to homes, schools, shops, agricultural fields, tea gardens, businesses and livestock. The disaster also severely disrupted road connectivity, electricity and communication networks.
The Union said spreading unverified information that shifts blame onto the people of Mon was irresponsible and insensitive.
It urged public representatives and organisations to verify facts before making statements that could create misunderstanding, panic or strain the long-standing relationship between the people of Assam and Nagaland.
The Konyak Union further said natural disasters should not be politicised or used to promote speculative narratives without scientific evidence or official verification. It maintained that any inquiry into the causes of flooding should be based on technical assessments conducted by competent authorities and expert agencies.
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The Union appealed to individuals, organisations, the media and the public to refrain from circulating unverified information and warned that those responsible for spreading misinformation could be held accountable under the law if such claims resulted in any untoward incidents.
Reaffirming its commitment to peace, the Union said it would continue to work towards preserving the long-standing ties between the people of Nagaland and Assam while ensuring that facts prevail over misinformation.
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