Declare Assam flood a national calamity: AIUDF

Hundreds of AIUDF activists, including party MLAs, held a demonstration in front of the Raj Bhavan here and submitted a memorandum to Governor J B Patnaik.

"Lakhs of people have been displaced in the floods and there has been huge loss to agricultural land. The Centre should immediately declare the Assam floods, a national calamity and declare a package of Rs 10,000 crore for the affected people," AIUDF General Secretary (Organisation) and MLA Aminul Islam told reporters here.

He accused the state government of not doing enough to help the flood affected people.

"Flood and erosion have been affecting the state for years but no steps have been taken," Islam said.

The party also demanded stern action against poaching of animals, including rhinos at the Kaziranga National Park.

"At the time when even people are not safe, what kind of help is the government expected to give for protection of animals," Islam said.

The memorandum also sought time-bound completion of the process for updating the National Register of Citizens.

"The NRC should be updated as per the Assam Accord of 1985. All the illegal immigrants who have come from across the border after March 25, 1971, should be identified and deported.

"However, at the same time, the government should ensure that genuine Indian citizens are not harassed in the name of religion or language," Islam added.

AIUDF MLAs, including Hafiz Bashir Ahmed Azmi, Gul Akhtara Begum, Abdul Rahim Kham, Swapan Kar and Sherman Ali participated in the demonstration.